Full-time: Peterborough Sports 2-0 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City exited the FA Trophy on Saturday after being defeated by National League North outfit Peterborough Sports.
The hosts’ 24-25 FA Trophy campaign got off to a perfect start when forward Max Booth slotted the ball past Ted Collins in the 7th minute of the match. The Turbines’ player-manager Michael Gash thought he doubled his side’s lead prior to half-time, but the defender’s header was cleared off the line by Jake Hyde.
In the second half, City’s efforts to find an equaliser went unrewarded. Charlie Ruff, Jake Hyde and Jordan Greenidge all were unable to capitalise on opportunities to score. In the final moments of added time, the Clarets paid the price for sending Ted Collins forward for a late corner when Peterborough Sports cleared the danger and scored into the empty City net on the resultant counterattack.
After fielding a much changed team against West Essex in the Essex Senior Cup on Wednesday, Robbie Simpson returned to selecting recognised first-team in his team’s eleven. The likes of Paul Appiah, Osman Foyo and Jake Hyde were all recalled to the Clarets’ squad and started the game.
The Turbines took the lead in the 7th minute courtesy of Booth. Forward Booth was rewarded for remaining alert in and around the City penalty area after Paul Appiah miscontrolled a long ball forward from the hosts. Appiah’s mistake presented Booth with a clear sight of goal, who remained composed and finished clinically past Collins from around 12-yards out.
Luke Steele’s side had the next clear-cut opportunity of the match in the 42nd minute when captain Michael Gash was denied a certain goal by Hyde. Gash got on the end of a cross from the left flank and guided a powerful header towards the net, but Hyde cleared the ball off the line and away from danger, preventing a certain goal.
In the opening 10 minutes of the second half, City had two opportunities to level the scoreline but were unable to convert these chances. Bradley Williams was introduced at half-time in place of Appiah, and inside the opening minute of the half, he delivered a cross which Charlie Ruff nearly converted. Ruff headed Williams’ delivery just wide of Peter Crook’s goal. Hyde was next to come close to equalising when he got on the end of Alfie Bendle’s 52nd minute corner, however he was also unable to guide his effort on target.
Peterborough Sports defended resolutely for long periods throughout the afternoon, which made chances for the Clarets a rare commodity as the second half progressed. In added time, Ruff made an audacious attempt to score when he struck a volley towards goal from around 40-yards out. However, the no.16’s strike fizzed just wide of the target.
Later on in added time, substitute Greenidge tested Crook with a low effort from a tight angle, which the Turbines’ keeper pushed behind for a corner. Clarets goalkeeper Ted Collins went forward for the resultant corner, which was punched clear by Crook. Crook’s punch sparked a Turbines counterattack on the empty City goal, and this move was eventually finished by Jarvis, who tapped the ball into the net from a few yards out.
Jarvis’ goal concluded the afternoon and confirmed the Clarets’ exit from the FA Trophy at the second round stage. Simpson’s side return to National League South action next week when they travel to Sussex to face Worthing away.
Peterborough Sports XI: Crook (GK); Putman, Fryatt ©, Van Lier, Jarvis, Alban-Jones, Bland, Gyasi, Gash, Lomax (Gallagher 11’), Booth.
Unused substitutes: Elsom, Steele, Winters.
Yellow cards: Bland, Putman, Booth
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); James ©, Appiah (Williams 46’), Gale, Oguntayo; Bendle, Tamplin (Dunne 88’); Foyo (Greenidge 83’), Ruff, Hockey (Kalala 75’); Hyde.
Unused substitutes: Eames.
Yellow cards: Ruff
Match Officials: Tommy Breen (Referee), James Cliffe (Assistant Referee), Christopher Reeson (Assistant Referee), Christopher Darling (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 357
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