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Chelmsford City 4-0 Dereham Town, Monday 2nd October 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 7:30pm, F.A. Cup sponsored by E.ON Second Qualifying Round Replay.
Total domination was the best way to describe this F.A. Cup Replay for the Clarets as Dereham's brave assault on the competition came to an abrupt halt in Melbourne. As if to show Saturday's share of four goals was a one-off result, City helped themselves to the full foursome on their own patch with the help of the 8th-minute dismissal of Town goalkeeper Nathan Pauling for pole-axing Ricky Holmes when through on goal. Chelmsford were aware a winnable away tie at Rugby Town was at stake at the next stage and were keen to make no mistake in this replay. Two changes were made to the side, with Mario Noto re-claiming his right midfield place ahead of Chris Duffy and pacey forward Holmes started in the Number 9 shirt occupied previously by Tony Battersby. From the start the City youngster caused trouble with his speed and it was too much for Pauling early-on as he lunged into him when clear through on goal, leaving Referee Mr Blackledge with no option but to consign him to an early bath. In and around the first 10 minutes Dereham had made a decent start. Excepting a penalty appeal against them when an off-balance defender almost gave away a penalty for handball, Graham Barrett scared the back line with a header at goal that flew off-target after a cross from the left as the away side threatened Richard McKinney's goal regardless of their numerical disposition. Though for all Town's effort the full-charged City side moved the ball about well and on 15 minutes Holmes was through on goal but failed to test deputy custodian Danny Self, previously a midfielder, as his lob was sliced over. Shortly afterwards Kezie Ibe excelled in turning his marker and struck the ball at Self before doing similar seconds later. This was to be the last time the gutsy 'keeper would save his team with the scores level, the deadlock being broken in the 34th minute. Jay Conroy roved forward from right back and aimed a shot at the far bottom corner but Holmes arrived before it reached its destination and diverted the ball into the other side of the goal, into the back of the net. Holmes was at it again within ninety seconds, shifting the ball to one side before again craftily attempting to lob Self. This time his effort dropped wide. With the game sitting there to be comfortably won by Jeff King's side, even defender Ben Chenery got the opportunity to strike at goal. Firstly his double shot from just inside the box was blocked then, with a little more space to play with, he blasted wide of the upright. Spencer Knight then had his say, collecting the ball in a dangerous crossing position before seeing his squared centre evaded by anyone in claret. After the break it was the same story and City added the killer second goal on 54 minutes. Conroy was again involved in the build-up, this time putting ball in the box for Self to clear through the legs of Ibe to Knight on the edge of the box who sent the ball back where it came from, skidding it into the bottom corner. Some uncertain headed clearances culminated in a 65th-minute Noto effort from the edge of the box later on while a Conroy long-ranger rattled the stanchion and a Noto cross was tipped onto the crossbar by Self with Chelmsford still in the ascendency. A third goal was coming and it arrived through top scorer Jeff Minton on 66 minutes. Knight was in close proximity to the post to head at Ibe's back on the line, leading to the midfield marvel jumping to guide the ball over the line in style from close range. Several alterations were made to both teams afterwards and Dereham managed a rare attack thirteen minutes from time with a header bolting wide from nearly under Richard McKinney's crossbar. However, the hosts had another trick up their sleeve in the form of late replacement Jason Hallett who latched onto a pass after a poor goal kick, beat-off the attentions of a defender and found the net after rounding Self on his way to goal in the 86th minute. This set the seal on a professional and comprehensive cup showing which moved Chelmsford one step closer to the glory of the First Round Proper. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Tony Battersby (On for Manuella, 67) Dereham Town: Nathan Pauling, Oliver Willis, Brendan Foley, Daniel Self, Andrew Gleave, Adam Gusterson, Nicky Howell, Danny Wright, Jordan Blyth, Graham Barrett, Craig Terrington. Subs: Matt Amis, Neil Renaut, Paul Nichols, Danny Beaumont, Sam Willis. Bookings: City: Noto (76, persistent infringement). Dereham: Foley (9, failing to retreat), Gusterson (67, dissent), Gleave (67, dissent). Sent Off: Dereham: Pauling (8, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity). Referee: Mr M. Blackledge (Peterborough). Assistant Referees: Mr K. English (Romford) and Mr R. Barnard (Chelmsford). Attendance: 646. City Man of the Match: Fiston Manuella. |
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By Chris
Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
