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Chelmsford City 1-0 Wivenhoe Town, Monday 11th September 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 7:30pm, Westview League Cup Round Two.
Jeff Minton's first-half penalty proved to be enough to guide City to the next stage of the Westview League Cup against Division One side Wivenhoe. Chelmsford's first clean sheet of the season was registered as the Dragons went down to ten men towards the end of the first half with Tabani Mabvura bringing down Ricky Holmes as the last defender for the penalty which won the tie for the hosts. As is often traditional in this type of fixture, the Manager took the opportunity to field some of the players who are hungry for a regular place in the team. Peter Smith made his first start of the campaign at right back with Liam Hopkins in front of him in midfield. Spencer Knight made a competitive debut on the left flank and the front-line consisted of speedy striker Ricky Holmes and experienced target man Tony Battersby. Wivenhoe had a couple of ex-Clarets in their side, with uncompromising defender Jack Wignall wearing the number five shirt and Gareth Street operated in the centre of midfield. Town tested City goalkeeper Richard McKinney with a couple of early efforts before Knight's far post header at the other end for City was palmed agonisingly off the line by visiting custodian Oliver Sanders and Jeff Minton's weighted, low follow-up was deflected wide. Knight was in the thick of things again on 24 minutes, slipping the ball in to Holmes who sprinted and struck at Sanders, with the rebound almost spinning into the goal until the 'keeper's catch intervened. Battersby was winning several flick-ons for Holmes to run on to but his 30th-minute effort was definitely a header at goal as he pummelled the ball inches wide following a left-wing cross. In the 33rd minute there was a short spell of uncertainty in the Clarets' penalty box when the ball bounced across the face of goal and Michael Brothers arrived free at the far post to meekly brush the underside of the crossbar with his shot that eventually whistled away. It was an escape for City which would ultimately be capitalised on. Just three minutes later the Clarets found themselves taking the lead. Holmes again got clear with only the goalkeeper to beat but Mabvura challenged him unlawfully and received his marching orders as well as giving away a penalty. Jeff Minton had a 100% competitive penalty record to maintain this season and he made no mistake in rolling the ball to Sanders' left and hand Chelmsford the lead. City, with a one-man advantage, started the second half reasonably brightly and when Noto played a one-two including cheeky back-heel with Battersby he then saw his arrowed shot at goal finger-tipped over by Sanders. The amount of entertainment emanating from the second period was sparse and understandably Town offered little going forward. City, however, watched Holmes fire the ball across the danger zone and Gavin Heeroo shoot well over. Heeroo was involved in the attack one minute from time when he flighted a ball to the far post and substitute Kezie Ibe tried an effort that was marginally too high. Apart from another ball across the face of goal that didn't amount to much, that's how proceedings stayed as Chelmsford moved into the next round. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Stuart Bimson Wivenhoe Town: Oliver Sanders, Jeff Shepherd, Ben Wake, Tabani Mabvura, Jack Wignall, Gareth Street, Steve Parmenter, Jerome Boyce, Simon Thomas, Lee Townrow, Michael Brothers. Subs: Paul Hillier, Earl Sterling, Brad David, Bobby Bethall, Matt Stace. Bookings: City: Noto (60, foul). Sent Off: Wivenhoe: Mabvura (36, foul). Referee: Mr I.J. Cooper (Rochester). Assistant Referees: Mr M.I. Smith (Basildon) & Mr D.J. Cook (Black Notley). Attendance: 362. City Man of the Match: Ricky Holmes. |
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By Chris
Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
