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Chelmsford City 1-2 Maidstone United, Saturday 21st October 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 3:00pm, F.A. Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round.
Chelmsford suffered a surprise defeat against Ryman Division One South club Maidstone United thanks to a Lynden Rowland strike two minutes from the end, his second of the game. The Clarets had led on just six minutes through in-form Ricky Holmes but conceded on 40 and 88 minutes and Jeff Minton failed to convert from the penalty spot with just seconds remaining. Manager Jeff King will be disappointed not to progress further in a competition he won with several years back with Canvey Island at Villa Park but he will now turn the attentions of his squad to the important F.A. Cup clash at home to Gravesend & Northfleet next Saturday. This match was delayed by fifteen minutes when Referee Mr Child from Beckenham ordered lines to be repainted on the pitch despite it staging a number of games problem-free since January. When the tie did finally get underway, Tony Battersby was the only alteration to the starting eleven that won in midweek at Carshalton, replacing Kezie Ibe in the front two. Chelmsford could hardly have got off to a better start as the 6th-minute greeted Ricky Holmes' latest goal. He burst past his marker and didn't connect fully with his strike but it rolled into the bottom corner past 'keeper Pat Mullin. Maidstone went on to have the best of the sparse attacking entertainment in the first half, with Craig Roser watching his rising long-ranger fly over the bar on 13 minutes and, closer still, substitute Nick Barnes was embarrassed to also shoot over the bar but from much nearer range in the 32nd minute. However, United were to find themselves level 40 minutes in when a right-wing delivery landed on the head of Rowland who found the net from a yard out. With City's recent scintillating form restricted to the second halves of matches, hopes were still high for a rousing performance after the break though a wait of twenty minutes was endured before Mario Noto worked himself a shooting opportunity which resulted in a strike into the arms of Mullin. Two minutes later, early celebrations of a goal were shackled as Jason Hallett's headed goal was ruled-out for a push in the area by a team-mate. Rowland caused trouble in a rare attack at the other end with fourteen minutes left, taking advantage of a cross deflected into his path by a home defender and slicing narrowly off-target. But patience is a virtue and when the Clarets were pushing forward to prevent a troublesome replay ahead of the Gravesend tie, Rowland struck from out of nowhere on 88 minutes near to the goal to send the large band of following Stones suitably crazy. This looked to be a sucker-punch strike until City earned a penalty thanks to a handball in the area. With the pressure on him, Jeff Minton's usually well-controlled penalty technique went to pot and his spot-kick flew wide to confirm United's place in the next round. City: 1 Richard McKinney Maidstone United: Pat Mullin, Nathan Paul, Craig Roser, Lee Shearer, Mario McNish, Ryan Royston, Sam Tydeman, Jason Barton, Simon Austin, Lynden Rowland, Errison Ahwan. Subs: Aaron Lacy, Nick Hegley, Kane Rice, Nick Barnes, Andy Hart. Bookings: City: Ainsley (85, foul). Maidstone: Roser (84, foul), Barton (88, excessive celebrating). Referee: Mr S.A. Child (Beckenham). Assistant Referees: Mr D.T. Wyatt (Orpington) and Mr A. Mead (Orpington). Attendance: 859. City Man of the Match: Ricky Holmes. |
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By Chris Evans
(Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
