MATCH REPORT: Chelmsford City 4-3 Chippenham Town | FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round | Saturday 11th September
We taste late defeat in the FA Cup.
In a topsy-turvy match from the opening, Chelmsford edge out the Bluebirds out in a cup classic.
The match started with a stoppage, as Chippenham captain Luke Haines was hauled into the advertising hoardings by Ricky Holmes. Haines would see out the full 90 minutes but seemed to feel some effect throughout.
The advertising hoarding would again play a part, as this time Canice Carroll was the next Bluebird player to be shown that way. Jack Barham was booked for his part in the incident, and could count himself lucky to stay on the pitch.
On 16 minutes the opening goal of the game would be scored as, following a clever set piece routine, Vaughan crossed for Dan Ellison who nodded home from close range.
Chelmsford would grow into the game, with both Joe Grimwood and Harry Barbrook having shots well blocked.
The Clarets’ growth during the game would pay off on 29 minutes, as Taylor Clark side stepped Reece Fleet’s challenge, before firing into the bottom corner.
It would become two in two minutes for Chelmsford Lyle Taylor tapped in from close range.
On 44 minutes it became three for the Clarets, as Barham finished into an empty net following a defensive mix-up between Carroll and Henry.
Half-time: Chelmsford City 3-1 Chippenham Town
The half-time interval brought forth two changes as Olaf Koszela and Cole Fleming came on form Caine Bradbury and Will King, a statement and a shuffle in the midfield.
After a sustained spell of Bluebirds possession at the opening of the half, Chelmsford’s number 10 Sam Folarin was shown a straight red card for a needless and studs up challenge on both Haines and Henry.
The reduction in Chelmsford’s numbers saw CTFC grow into the game, as chances from Sol Wanjau-Smith and Haines were deflected and saved wide.
On 70 minutes Taylor was given a golden chance to score from close range, but fired into the stands with a poor shot.
75 minutes saw us reduce the deficit, as Olaf Koszela tucked a low shot into the bottom corner, his first for the club.
And just three minutes later the scores were level, as Ethan Vaughan crossed wonderfully into the area for Tom Owen-Evans to volley towards goal, with the ball nestling in the corner for 3-3. The dubious goals panel will have to take a look at it, as Ezio Touray seemed to grab a touch before heading in.
As stoppage-time loomed; a cross into the box was batted away by the Bluebirds with Vaughan being barged off of the ball in the area that the referee failed to spot. Vaughan received treatment before a Clarets drop-ball was knocked into the area, and following three consecutive goal-line clearances Louie Kudiabor volleyed in from close range to make it 4-3.
