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Chelmsford City 1-1 Bromley, Saturday 19th August 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Ryman League Premier Division.
Jeff Minton's first half penalty wasn't enough for City to crown their opening day with a win against Bromley due to a freak Lilywhites equaliser. The former Brighton midfielder netted a spot-kick after being fouled himself just after the half hour but a second-half free-kick hit Chris Duffy and diverted into the Clarets' net as Chelmsford were pegged back for a draw. There was a debut at the Stadium for former Canvey Island defensive midfielder David McGhee, lining-up in midfield alongside Liam Hopkins who was pushed forward to cover for the absence of Mario Noto. Playing at right-back was Chris Duffy, with Ricky Holmes and Kezie Ibe beginning up-front. For the visitors, ex-Claret striker Tony Boot started the match in a talented side who also have their eyes on promotion to the Conference South. The game took a while to get started, with the first real chance arriving on 19 minutes as Bromley's Peter Adeniyi blasted over with space on the right side of goal. Two minutes later there was action at the other end with Kezie Ibe holding the ball up for Liam Hopkins who arrowed his effort a yard over the bar. As the half hour mark approached Chelmsford started to take a hold of the match, with Stuart Ainsley providing a delivery that Ben Chenery flicked over with his head. Shortly afterwards Chenery himself supplied a cross from deep which Jeff Minton glanced inches off target and Ibe was again in the thick of things with a low effort that was parried away and collected at the second attempt by goalkeeper Andy Walker. But on 31 minutes Minton was to see his luck change. He was about to shoot from close range when defender Mark Corneille tugged him back and the referee awarded a penalty and a surprise caution to the Bromley right back. Minton then remained calm to place the ball into the goal despite a strong hand from Walker. Bromley's response was again from the feet of Adeniyi though he roved forward only to see his long-range strike blocked early by Jerrome Sobers. City finished the half strongly and Ainsley attempted a snap-shot from distance that didn't end up too far away. Chris Duffy later headed back across goal into the danger zone but nobody was available to bury the loose ball. Just after the interval Ibe was a bright spark and tried twice to double the deficit. He firstly attempted to force his way through on goal only to see his path blocked then he nicked the ball away from a defender but lobbed a decent chance over. On 57 minutes the pendulum began to swing and a dangerous cross from the right was headed agonisingly over by Bromley's prolific Nic McDonnell. From a similar position, after a questionable free-kick was awarded on 63 minutes, Chelmsford's defence was breached in bizarre fashion as the ball was helped on by Boot onto the body of unlucky defender Chris Duffy and it careered into the net to level. The visitors then started to gain an interest in winning the game and Barry Moore sent a long-range shot down the throat of 'keeper Richard McKinney as well as Boot performing trickery before doing the same. In between these efforts Jason Hallett was introduced to the fray for City, though he will have wanted to do so in happier circumstances as Liam Hopkins was stretchered from the field with a head injury. Hallett made an immediate impact and in injury time he dribbled down the left and provided another substitute, Tony Battersby, with a pass which allowed the latter to get a shot off which flew over. Then Minton struck a screamer very close from outside the box after picking-up on a defensive slip-up and Holmes sliced a further chance wide as the Clarets were forced to accept this wasn't their day and a stalemate was a fair result. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Tony Battersby (On for Ibe, 89) Bromley: Andy Walker, Mark Corneille, Sam Woods, Tutu Henriques, Donal O'Sullivan, Bobby Bowry, Peter Adeniyi, Barry Moore, Tony Boot, Nic McDonnell, Kirk Watts. Subs: Lee Fieldwick, Gary Drewett, Alex Tiesse, Adrian Stone, Michael Power. Bookings: City: Ainsley (57, handball), Hallett (73, simulation). Bromley: Corneille (30, foul). Referee: Mr Frank Meilack (Bexhill-on-Sea). Assistant Referees: Mr Lloyd Wood (Dagenham) and Mr Ross Wooding (Romford). Attendance: 777. City Man of the Match: Jeff Minton. |
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By
Chris Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
