Full-time: Chelmsford City 2-1 Bromsgrove Sporting
Chelmsford City booked their place in the hat of the FA Cup fourth round qualifying draw after beating Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday afternoon at the EMJ Community Stadium. One goal in each half scored Jordan Greenidge and Kane Crichlow respectively gave the Clarets a two-goal advantage, however a late strike by Rouslers substitute Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham created a tense end to the proceedings in Essex.
Robbie Simpson’s side scored the goal which their fast start to the match deserved when forward Greenidge struck from close-range in the 16th minute. Before Crichlow doubled his side’s lead, Osman Foyo came closest on a number of occasions to scoring for City in the first and second half, but the Ipswich Town loanee was denied by both Bromsgrove Sporting goalkeeper Nick Price and the woodwork.
Crichlow scored his second Chelmsford City goal when he found the back of the net in the 64th minute after he combined well with Greenidge before finishing clinically past Price. Roulsers substitute Leachman-Whittingham halved City’s lead in added time, but the goal proved to be little more than a consolation once City saw the game out to earn their place in the next round.
Simpson left his starting XI unchanged from last week’s visit to Hornchurch. As per FA Cup rules, the Clarets were allowed to name seven players on the substitutes’ bench instead of the usual five. This paved way for goalkeeper Woody Williamson to be named in a Chelmsford City matchday squad for the first time this season, while Kalvin Kalala returned to the fray after missing last week’s trip across Essex because of a knock.
City started the game fast and could’ve led sooner, however both Crichlow and Foyo were unable to score early chances after producing efforts which were cleared off the line and struck the sidenetting respectively. However, Greenidge earned the Clarets the lead that their fast start deserved when he scored his second Chelmsford City goal to put his side ahead in the 16th minute. Ruaridh Donaldson drifted over to the right flank and chested down Sam Gale’s cross-field pass before beating his man and crossing the ball to the near post. Greenidge was on hand to convert the Scotsman’s cross and put his side ahead.
The Clarets dominated the remainder of the first half and were unlucky not to double their lead before referee Joe Woolmer signalled for half-time. Foyo tested Bromsgrove Sporting goalkeeper Charlie Price on a number of occasions in the opening 45 minutes, but the Ipswich Town loanee had his best opportunity of the half in the 38th minute. Arthur Penney impressively clipped a pass over the top of the Rouslers’ defence which found Foyo’s run behind, who was unable to hit the target and blazed his effort over the crossbar instead.
Foyo came close to scoring again when he had the Clarets’ first clear-cut opportunity of the second period in the 53rd minute. Donaldson’s forward pass found Foyo on the shoulder of the deepest Bromsgrove defender. Foyo drove at the Rouslers’ backline and cut inside before curling a shot towards goal from the edge of the penalty box, which beat goalkeeper Price but not the woodwork.
Robbie Simpson’s side finally doubled their lead when Crichlow scored in the 64th minute, marking his second goal in as many weeks. Bermuda international Crichlow combined neatly with first half goalscorer Greenidge, playing the ball into the path of the centre forward who had his back to goal and rolled the ball back towards Crichlow. Crichlow produced a clinical first-time finish past Price to provide a goal which gave Simpson’s men an extra layer of comfort heading into the final 25 minutes of the proceedings.
Despite trailing by two goals, Southern League Premier Division Central outfit Bromsgrove produced a spirited performance in the closing stages of the game. Rouslers captain Luke Rowe volleyed a fierce effort at Ted Collins in the first of the six minutes of added time, which was well saved by the City shotstopper. Collins was unable to preserve his clean sheet and had his goal breached for the first time since Tuesday 3rd September when substitute Leachman-Whittingham scored in the third minute of added time. The Clarets were unable to clear the ball and a Bromsgrove shot saved by Collins dropped the way of Leachman-Whittingham, who tapped the ball into the back of the net from close-range.
The late goal scored by Paul Smith’s side proved to be little more than a consolation though, after Simpson’s men protected their one-goal lead in the final seconds of the game. Saturday’s win ensured the Clarets will play in the FA Cup fourth round qualifying for the third consecutive season, with the draw set to take place on Monday afternoon. Chelmsford City return to National League South action next weekend with a home clash against Eastbourne Borough.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Thorn, Appiah, Gale, Oguntayo (Dunne 75’); Donaldson, Penney (Tamplin 86’); Foyo (Hockey 83’), Ruff © (Watts 75’), Crichlow (Kalala 75’); Greenidge.
Unused substitutes: Williamson (GK), Williams.
Yellow cards: none.
Bromsgrove Sporting XI: Price (GK), Palmer, King (King-Harmes 83’), Roberts, White, Rowe ©, Robinson (Leachman-Whittingham 73’), Meddows, Crook (Snape 63’), Newell (Powell 73’), Patterson.
Unused substitutes: Melbourne.
Yellow cards: Rowe.
Match Officials: Joe Woolmer (Referee), Daniel Doyle (1st Assistant), Amarachi Okamgba (2nd Assistant), Lee Marwick (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 808
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