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THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP |
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Ricky Holmes netting the opening goal for
Chelmsford
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REDBRIDGE
1 - 2 CHELMSFORD CITY |
| Wed 30th Jan 2008 |
| Oakside Stadium |
| FansFocus.Com Essex Senior
Cup Semi-Final |
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Goals early in each half from Ricky
Holmes and Bertie Brayley sealed Chelmsford City's path into the
FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup Final with a 2-1 win over gallant
Redbridge at Oakside Stadium.
City will now face either Heybridge Swifts or Southend United in the
Roots Hall final on 1st April and they will discover their
opposition when they meet at Scraley Road next Tuesday, 5th
February. It was a typical cup semi-final at Oakside and, as an open
and battling game, it couldn't be faulted for passion.
The Clarets set the tie up by opening the scoring after just 6
minutes. A Mario Noto corner wasn't dealt with by the Redbridge
defence and, after a slip by 'keeper Tony Tucker, Holmes pounced to
poke to ball home at the far post.
Within four minutes, though, the Motormen were level after a
perfectly-fashioned move saw Billy Holland sprint onto Leon
Antoine's through ball before finishing low past Ashley Harrison
with some aplomb. Chelmsford hit back strongly and Noto fired a
twenty-yard drive just wide after a decent run. Tucker then did well
to push away Stuart Ainsley's well-struck half-volley.
Tucker produced a fine block to Noto after slack defending from the
home side had allowed Holmes pass to slip through and moments later
Kezie Ibe blasted over the top for the visitors after a neat turn
and shot on the edge of the box.
Chelmsford wasted little time in re-establishing their advantage
within two minutes of the interval as Bertie Brayley, only on as a
half-time substitute, threaded a ball through to Ibe whose snap-shot
was tipped over the top by Tucker. From the subsequent Jon Keeling
corner, Brayley's low volley found the corner of the net through a
crowded penalty area.
City then proceeded to squander some good opportunities as firstly
Keeling drove a fierce twenty-yard effort wide then Ibe smashed a
shot over the top after Holmes' centre had dropped perfectly to his
feet. Ibe was at the forefront again as he weaved through the
Redbridge rearguard before sending a fifteen-yard shot just off
target.
A fantastic quick break saw Holmes dash forward for the visitors
before feeding Jamie England who scooped a shot over Tucker's
crossbar. Both Ibe and Keeling wasted further chances for the
visitors and they could have proved costly as Redbridge heaved
pressure on the Clarets' goal in the closing stages.
The hosts came close in the third minute of stoppage time as Anthony
Church's corner caused havoc in the six-yard box until the ball was
eventually scrambled to safety off the goal line after a crucial
touch by 'keeper Harrison.
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Bertie Brayley (centre) is congratulated after
volleying the eventual winner |
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Redbridge: Tony Tucker, Tarkan
Mustafa (Stuart Williams, 70), Dave Collins, Nick Symons, Nick
Skelton, Jack Wignall, Jeff Hammond, Anthony Church, Billy Holland,
Leon Antoine, Leon Fisher (Jared Small, 82). Unused Substitutes:
Dean Chandler, Aaron Gayle, Ron Budd.
Chelmsford City: Ashley Harrison, Chris Duffy, Spencer
Knight, Andy Duncan, Dean Palmer, Jamie England, Mario Noto, Stuart
Ainsley (Bertie Brayley, 46), Ricky Holmes (James Lawson, 82).
Bookings: Redbridge: Wignall (61, unsporting behaviour), Symons (69,
foul), Collins (81, foul). Chelmsford: Duffy (61, unsporting
behaviour).
Referee: Matt Stewart (Harwich).
Assistant Referees: Neil West (Leigh-on-Sea) and Tom Brooks
(Dagenham).
Attendance: 267.
Man of the Match: Bertie Brayley (Chelmsford City) - An
enforced impact substitution after half-time, and what an impact!
Scored with one of his first touches and regularly worried the
Motormen's back-line with a series of foraging runs. |
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