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THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP |
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CHELMSFORD
CITY 5 - 1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE |
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Chelmsford City eased into the
semi-finals of the FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup as a hat-trick
from Kezie Ibe helped seal a 5-1 victory over a young Dagenham &
Redbridge side.
It was a gallant effort from an extremely inexperienced Dagenham
team after many of the League Two outfit's senior players had been
struck down with a virus following the previous weekend's
unfortunate F.A. Cup exit at Essex neighbours Southend United.
It was, in fact, the Daggers who created the first opening on just 2
minutes, a good run and through ball by Nicholas Ogbanufe finding
Chetin Ali whose low shot was comfortably held by Clarets stopper,
Ashley Harrison.
Chelmsford took the lead with 8 on the clock, however, Mario Noto
sending an angled twenty-yard drive past 'keeper Billy Lepine and
inside the far post. Lepine then did well to keep out Bertie
Brayley's sharp turn and shot and then, moments later, pushed away
Noto's tricky cross-cum-shot.
City's advantage was doubled on 19 minutes, James Lawson's cross
falling at the feet of Noto who somehow missed the target with a
swerving strike from an angle before receiving the ball back and
laying-off so Ibe could slam home from six yards.
Lawson had a couple of snap-shots for City and Dagenham were given a
boost when Lepine saved Stuart Ainsley's tame spot-kick following a
trip on the former Ipswich Town youngster by Liam Thomas. It was
Dagenham who then finished the first period stronger, Harrison
holding onto Kennedy Ogbanufe's low pile-driver before Ali also
tested the ex-Canvey Island custodian.
Chelmsford added the third of evening just before the hour mark, a
fine low shot from Spencer Knight bouncing off a post into the path
of Ibe who again finished from close range.
The scoring was wrapped up in a quick-fire four minute spell shortly
afterwards. Ibe completed his hat-trick on 65, making amends for
Ainsley's earlier penalty miss after Dagenham's Chris Charlery had
inexplicably handled in the box.
City's fifth arrived on 67 minutes, Jamie England neatly
side-footing home Lawson's pin-point cross from close range before
Dagenham grabbed a deserved consolation two minutes later, Charlery
poking home from six yards after substitute Antony Aylett had seen
his effort blocked on the goalline.
Chelmsford enjoyed the best of the late chances, but couldn't add to
their tally. Ainsley shot at Lepine after a neat ball by Lawson and
the Daggers goalkeeper also impressed by denying Brayley's dipping
volley and Lawson's long-range effort.
The final effort of the game saw Lepine once again in the action,
pushing substitute Sam Biscoe's effort away via the outside the
upright.
Chelmsford City: Ashley Harrison, Luke Hughes, Stuart Ainsley,
Aidan Collins (Liam Saunders, 77), Chris Duffy, Jamie England (Sam
Biscoe, 79), Mario Noto, Spencer Knight, Kezie Ibe, Bertie Brayley
(Ricky Holmes, 75), James Lawson. Unused Substitute: Danny Gay.
Dagenham & Redbridge: Billy Lepine, Aaron Hunwicks, Matt
Gillingham, Chris Charlery (Sonny Adams, 69), Liam Thomas, Billy
Pike, Thomas Mustapha (Antony Aylett, 46), Harlee Dean, Chetin Ali,
Kennedy Ogbanufe (Alex Petrou, 80), Nicholas Ogbanufe. Unused
Substitutes: Luke Hatch, Terry Martin.
Bookings: None.
Referee: Gary Jerden (Grays).
Assistant Referees: Michael Smith (Basildon) & Nigel Bond
(Chelmsford).
Attendance: 531.
Man of the Match: Jamie England (Chelmsford City) - Often
instigated the pace of the match from his holding midfield role,
occasionally bursting forward to great effect, particularly when
getting on the end of a cross to notch the Clarets' fifth of the
evening.
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City's hat-trick hero, Kezie
Ibe (left) |
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