Staines Town 1-1 Chelmsford City, Saturday 7th October 2006, Wheatsheaf Park, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Ryman League Premier Division.

By Chris Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)

Young striker Ricky Holmes continued to terrorise Ryman League defences with a second-half equalising goal to earn a point for City jut west of London.

He netted early in the second half to draw Chelmsford level after a stunning Ali Chabaan effort put the hosts ahead just after the half-hour mark.

A couple of changes were made by City boss Jeff King after the cup win on Monday night against Dereham Town. Tony Battersby came in for Kezie Ibe up front while Chris Duffy replaced Stuart Ainsley at right-back.

Early-on Chelmsford were lucky to get away without conceding as Mark Nwokeji scuffed an open chance wide just before a team-mate flicked a header narrowly off target. City’s reply was to see Holmes put through only for ‘keeper Shaun Allaway to block his effort then Spencer Knight produced a dipping volley that worried the former Reading custodian.

But the hosts managed to take the lead on 31 minutes as Chabaan tricked his way past several challenges before placing the ball into the corner of the net. This lead was taken into half-time but in the 53^rd minute Holmes was sent through on goal by Knight and the youthful forward slipped the ball into the net past the advancing Allaway.

Substitute Kezie Ibe perked-up the Clarets’ attack and went close on a couple of occasions though goalkeeper Richard McKinney was the hero seven minutes from the end, superbly pushing-away Nwokeji’s distant strike to preserve parity and keep a point in City’s bag.

Meanwhile, A.F.C. Sudbury won their F.A. Trophy game which ensures Chelmsford now travel there on Tuesday night for a Westview Cup Third Round tie at 7:45pm. Maidstone United also defeated Bury Town in the Trophy and will face City in Melbourne on Saturday 21st October.

City:

1 Richard McKinney
2 Jay Conroy
3 Chris Duffy
4 Ben Chenery (C)
5 Steve Ward
6 Fiston Manuella
7 Mario Noto
8 Jeff Minton
9 Tony Battersby
10 Ricky Holmes
11 Spencer Knight

12 Stuart Ainsley
14 Jason Hallett (On for Noto, 71)
15 Gavin Heeroo
16 Kezie Ibe (On for Battersby, 57)
17 Jerrome Sobers

Staines Town: Shaun Allaway, Adam Thompson, Jon McDonald, Jake Newton, Matt Flitter, Andre Scarlett, Kevin Warner, Dave Sargent, Michael Currie, Mark Nwokeji, Ali Chabaan. Subs: Craig Maskell, Paul Armstrong, Clement James, Howard Newton, Dean Thomas.

Bookings: City: Minton (26, foul), Ward (65, foul). Staines: Newton (79, foul).

Referee: Mr Gary Young (Flitton, Bedfordshire).

Assistant Referees: Mr Craig Hooper (Mytchett, Surrey) and Mr Alan Morley (Church Crookham, Hampshire).

Attendance: 332.

City Man of the Match: Richard McKinney.

For more Match Photos, Click Here.