The Clarets had advanced in the FA Cup, and were due North to face Bromsgrove Sporting. An interesting opponent, who looked to cause an FA Cup upset. On the slopped pitch, the 2 sides faired well in an action packed game which will, once again, see the Clarets welcome their visitors to Essex, in another replay.
3 changes came to Robbie’s starting side, after the defeat last time out to St Albans. The first of the 3 saw midfielder Eze Ebuzoeme come back into the midfield, as Mo Dabre made way. Out on the left, Adam Mills started with Josh Castiglione coming out the starting side. Finally, it was Hockey preferred over Ruff, after the young striker surpassed 50 appearances in Claret, last weekend. A strong bench saw Jacob Marsden joined by the likes of Cameron James, who is returning back to full fitness. As well as that, Dabre, Castiglione and Ruff all dropped from the side to the bench, to join Barnum-Bobb and Bettamer, making up the 7 named substitutes.
KICK OFF:
Under the gloomy skies of Birmingham, the game got underway, with the Clarets now wearing their names on the back of their shirts. It was an early kick off, and an early chance as Bromsgrove were on it from the start. Adam Mills had won the Clarets a corner, but the hosts launched forward after winning the ball. It was shipped out wide, as striker Miro Pais looked to cause danger. He swung a ball into the box, where it was Jermaine Francis back to defend, as he turned behind for a corner. Bromsgrove sent it on, but it was cleared, only for them to come back and win a free kick. It was Winfield fouling Pais, but Tee had to effort. His free kick was deflected behind for a corner, before Winfield cleared that danger.
The Clarets were able to have some joy of their own, as the progressed up the field. Both Jermaine Francis and Freddie Hockey were able to get shots away, but nothing too troublesome for Ollie Taylor, in the Bromsgrove net. A big chance came for the hosts, as another free kick was given away. This time, Tee was able to swing it round the wall, seeing his effort crash back off the post, oh so close to the games opener. Josh Oluwayemi came to the rescue again for the Clarets in the first half, as he made an excellent point blank save. Ben Brookes lost out to Callum King-Harmes, who played it across to Miro Pais. A golden opportunity, Pais thought he’d see the net bulge, but Oluwayemi got down well to claw it away and deny the striker.
The Clarets were getting chances as the half progressed, but some top class goalkeeping from Ollie Taylor was keeping the game level. However, as we entered the final 5 minutes of the half, Robbie had an enforced change. Miro Pais and Dave Winfield chased the loose ball, with the Clarets’ captain pulling up on his way to the ball. Pais played on, but his cross was dealt with by Jenkins before he put the ball out. Following treatment, Dave was carried off the pitch, and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was introduced, taking the armband too.
HALF TIME: BSFC 0-0 CCFC
The second half got off to an electric start, as the Clarets were flying forward. Anthony Wordsworth wound up for a shot but saw his effort crash through to the feet of Freddie Hockey. Freddie’s effort was saved once again by Taylor, but he couldn’t hold. Callum Jones was on hand, and the forward made no mistake in finding the back of the net, as he gave the Clarets the lead. It had hardly been a minute in the half, and the Clarets took the lead. Going a goal down, it was about to get even worse for Bromsgrove. Striker Miro Pais decided to fly into a tackle, 2 feet clearly off the floor towards Luke Jenkins. Afters sprawled, as Pais wash pushed to the floor. Once it had been cleared by the referee, as red card was shown, and the hosts were reduced to 10. Luckily, Luke Jenkins was able to walk away freely from to tackle.
The Clarets were dominating, showing their opposition that they were in control of the game. Numerous chances came and went, as the Clarets searched for the second goal, to put the game to bed. However, for the first time in the half, Bromsgrove ventured forward and got a promising chance. Keanu Cooper raced into the box and past Oluwayemi before he threw himself to the ground, winning a penalty. Conor Tee stepped up, burying his effort into the bottom left corner and drawing the tie level. Robbie turned to his bench not long after, seeing Freddie Hockey and Samir Carruthers replaced, as Charlie Ruff and Mo Bettamer came on.
A free kick was immediately taken after the substitutes, as Ben Brookes whipped one at goal. Taylor was equal to it again, making a great save. He didn’t hold it however, as the ball dropped in the box for 4 Clarets. Callum Jones picked the ball up and chipped it to the back post, but just too far as the ball went out. However, Jones was involved just after, and did not disappoint. Anthony Wordsworth had the ball deep and picked out Adam Mills with a beautiful delivery. It was a first timed volley, across the box to where Callum Jones was chasing in. He rose highest, firing an excellent header in as he gave the Clarets back the lead. With the lead, Chelmsford kept coming and won a free kick high up, as Jermaine Francis was fouled. Another delightful delivery saw Bettamer fire a header at goal, but Taylor was once again able to perform a super save.
Bromsgrove were not out of it, as the surged forward. A long throw into the box caused all sorts of problems, with players to the floor but in the end, the hosts being able to win a corner. Bromsgrove clearly wanted this replay, as a great delivery was met by Aaron Roberts, who cannoned a header in and sent the tie to Essex on Monday night, for a replay.
FULL TIME: BSFC 2-2 CCFC
Chelmsford City:
Oluwayemi (GK), Brookes, Wordsworth, Winfield (C) (Barnum-Bobb 42’), Ebouzeme, Carruthers (Ruff 73’), Mills, Jenkins, Jones, Francis, Hockey (Bettamer 73’)
Unused subs: Marsden (GK), James, Dabre, Castiglione
Goal: Jones 47’, 78’
Assists: Mills 78’
Cautions: Wordsworth 45+1’, Oluwayemi 68’
Bromsgrove Sporting:
Taylor (GK), White, Lekliti, Rowe (C), Roberts, Solademi, King-Harmes (Sanches 65), Cooper (Berry 84’), Pais, Tee, Shaw (Kewell)
Unused subs: Auld, Eke, Francis, Kindred
Goals: Tee 69’ (PEN), Roberts 90+2’
Cautions: Solademi 90+4’
Red card: Pais 49’
Words By Josh Lowe
Cover image by Roger Robinson Photography
Attendance: 712
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