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Chelmsford City 2-2 Leyton, Monday 4th September 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Ryman League Premier Division.
Jason Hallett’s 90th minute equaliser ensured City didn't slip to a cruel defeat as Leyton suffered late heart-break for the second successive season in Melbourne. Following in the footsteps of last season's late Alex Fiddes leveller for the Clarets, Hallett buried his header with just seconds left to ensure Chelmsford took something from a game in which they led and deserved to win. Keen to eradicate the memories of Saturday's horrendous loss at Margate as soon as possible, Jeff King made three defensive changes to that line-up. Liam Hopkins returned in place of Jay Conroy at right-back while the Stuarts, Bimson and Ainsley, formed the re-structured left-hand side of the formation. Hallett started threatening early-on with a 3rd-minute header that was nodded just over. Though it took twenty further minutes of football until City created their next opening, Hallett again powering past Leyton's left-back to cut the ball across goal with Des Thomas clearing the lines for the away side. The selection of Bimson enabled Ainsley to cause trouble going forward, which he has shown he's capable of so far in Clarets colours, and he half-volleyed into the side netting just before the half-hour mark as well as battling for a ball on the edge of the area and slamming narrowly wide of the far post on 34 minutes. Leyton themselves had a couple of efforts to their name just before the break, Richard McKinney blotting a generally clear copy book with a mis-kick in goal that culminated in a corner and, in injury time, Leli Bajada was teed-up by Manny Williams to drag an effort wide. Chelmsford's record of scoring second half goals had totalled a return of just a single strike so far in the campaign through Hallett against Billericay and he went close on 49 minutes though 'keeper James Hasell closed him down when through on goal. However, he could do little about Kezie Ibe placing the ball high into the roof of the net for a 53rd-minute opener after dealing with the initial effort that created the rebound. It was no less that the hosts deserved though seven minutes later the scores were all-square once more. Bajada was in the right place at the right time to sweep home from close range as City failed to deal with a cross and found themselves back to square one. Or so it seemed. Just three minutes later the visitors took a shock lead when an attacker was floored in the box to enable Steve West to smash the resulting penalty straight down the middle of the goal and into the net. The game had veered-off on a huge tangent in just a few minutes. With plenty of time left Chelmsford continued to probe away but eventually the home team were getting more and more desperate to put the ball in the net and the match started brimming with tension. Ricky Holmes was added to the attack and he caused mayhem on the right although his fall in the box seven minutes from the end earned him nothing but a booking from Referee Mr Rubery. The culminating few minutes were frantic as Jeff King's team peppered the Lilywhites' area with shots and crosses and McGhee smacked the post with a header. Gavin Heeroo, impressive in the heart of midfield, also struck just wide but a natural consequence of attacking was the potential for Leyton to break quickly and they forced McKinney into a spectacular diving save in the dying moments. Just as hope was beginning to evaporate, however, a delivery from the right found Hallett a few yards out and he sent the crowd wild with a header that found the net and ensured City's undefeated home record stayed in tact. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Tony Battersby (On for Bimson, 79) Leyton: James Hasell, Bob Thanda, Vas Soteriou, Des Thomas, Scott Honeyball, Rio Alderton, Manny Williams, Leli Bajada, Steve West, Danny Hill, Emon Protain. Subs: George Sifonious, Dave Morgan, Loui Fazackerley, Daniel Tenkorang, James Bunn. Bookings: City: Ainsley (32, foul), Holmes (83, simulation). Leyton: Thanda (74, foul). Referee: Mr Steve Rubery (Gants Hill). Assistant Referees: Mr Steven Connor (Black Notley) and Mr Mark Spradbery (Grays). Attendance: 675. City Man of the Match: Gavin Heeroo. |
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By Chris
Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
