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Hampton & Richmond Borough 1-3 Chelmsford City, Saturday 26th August 2006, M.E.M. Beveree Stadium, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Ryman League Premier Division.
City cruised to a momentous win at promotion rivals Hampton thanks to another first-half demolition at the M.E.M. Beveree Stadium. The Clarets were three-up by the break through Kezie Ibe, Jason Hallett and Mario Noto but, unlike Tuesday night's scare from an identical scenario at Ashford, Chelmsford completed the job in style. Jeff King thinkered with his line-up and drafted-in Liam Hopkins at right-back in place of Chris Duffy, while Gavin Heeroo returned at the cot of Jerrome Sobers. The first ten minutes were shaky for the visitors, who saw 'keeper Richard McKinney rush out to smother the danger from unmarked Lawrence Yaku and the Clarets' Steve Ward conceded a corner when the ball struck him and careered over the bar. But proceeding brightened-up on 15 minutes as industrious forward Hallett won a physical battle with Rob Harris but a defender got a toe to the ball as he bared down on goal. A dangerous cross from Noto followed and the Beavers troubled City in the 20th minute when Ryan Lake dragged a left-footed effort across the face from distance and McKinney expertly palmed wide to safety. Chelmsford were then delighted to take the lead a minute later. Noto was thwarted by a perfectly-timed tackle but the ball ran loose to Ibe who stabbed home from ten yards. Just as the fans had finished celebrating they were overjoyed once more as Chelmsford made it two goals in three minutes. Hopkins initially saw his two efforts blocked by 'keeper Matt Lovett though he could do nothing about youthful striker Hallett's close range finish. Borough replied with a 26th-minute header at goal from Alan Inns which McKinney dealt with but there was a blow as Glen Harris left the pitch early, seemingly with an injury. Hallett showed several glimpses that was nearing his best throughout the game, particularly on 35 minutes as his first touch took the ball to one side before bringing a top-class save out of Lovett with a stinging volley. With the half time whistle imminent, City refused to take their foot off the gas and netted a third. Jeff Minton spotted Noto lurking on the edge of the area from a corner and provided the ammunition for the midfielder to improve on his stunning midweek strike with a sumptuous first-time volley that buried itself into the net. With an identical interval lead against Ashford nearly being squandered on Tuesday, City had past experience in the backs of their minds as they took to the field for the second half and must have feared the worst when Ian Hodges tapped-in for Hampton with an open goal less than a minute beyond the resumption. Yaku then tried his luck with a well-executed volley that screeched over in the 49th minute as the hosts searched for a way back. Their cause was not helped, however, when former Slough Town hot-shot Hodges was sent from the field twenty minutes from time for his part in an off-the-ball incident as an attack broke down. The Assistant Referee alerted his colleague to the offence which resulted in Hodges' second red card in consecutive seasons against the Clarets. Seven minutes remained when Yaku was again left free to catch the defence cold though McKinney was enjoying a decent game between the sticks and remained alert to push away the flicked effort at goal. Chelmsford finished strongly courtesy of with Hopkins' drive and Stuart Ainsley's strike inches over from outside the box as City made a statement of intent to the rest of the League with a landmark victory. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Tony Battersby (On for Hallett, 67) Hampton & Richmond Borough: Matt Lovett, Graham Harper, Ryan Lake, Yiadom Yeboah, Rob Harris, Dean Wells, Alan Inns, Lawrence Yaku, Ian Hodges, Glen Harris, Barrie Matthews. Subs: Andy Cork, Dudley Gardner, Matt Elverson, Tom Howe, Jon Henry-Hayden. Bookings: None. Sent Off: Hampton: Hodges (70, violent conduct). Referee: Mr L. Pinto-Nunes (West Ealing). Assistant Referees: Mr S.P. Davidson (Watford) and Mr D. Thorley (Harrow). Attendance: 340. City Man of the Match: Mario Noto. |
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By
Chris Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
