Report – Chelmsford City 1 – 2 Wealdstone
Chelmsford City
3QR Replay1 - 2
WealdstoneWealdstone secured one of their best results of their season so far on Wednesday evening with another resilient and battling performance, taking them through to the First Round Proper of the Buildbase FA Trophy, with the reward of a home tie at The Vale on 16th December versus Wingate & Finchley of the Bostick Premier league.
In yet another déjà vu like scenario the opposition dramatically had a man sent off, but this time Stones expertly fought their way to a deserved victory in a typically tough encounter against one of the best and cleverest game managing sides in the National League South.
Wealdstone found themselves a goal down early on but came roaring back with a Danny Green penalty and then Abo Eisa ensured a passage to the next round finding the net in the second period with his 10th of the season.
In the freezing cold of the open conditions of the Melbourne Stadium, it was the home side that started the brightest with an early strike being charged down by the Stones defence, now featuring a flu free fit Matty Day. But the away side were quick to counter with Ciaron Brown heading just over when placed clear in the area.
Eisa was starting to get into his stride and when he broke clear with a great run on 13 mins he could hit the side netting before Day met a good header on target that was gathered by the towering Sam Beasant.
Mustafa Tiryaki bullied and battered his way through the equally tough City back line but continued to show some deft touches, not least when he tried an audacious lob from distance that fell wide of the mark.
But against the run of play, Chelmsford grabbed the lead. From a free run down their right flank the ball was whipped in and cleverly flicked past an exposed Jon North by Michael West on 24 minutes.
Craig Barrett was then booked for simulation in Stones area soon after and this was to prove fatal for the defender as he became the villain of the piece moments later.
After Tiryaki’s strike was pushed away by Beasant, Stones hit back with the equaliser. A goal bound strike was clearly handled on the line by Barrett and he was shown a second yellow and off he went.
The resultant penalty was tucked away with confidence by Danny Green
Controversy immediately followed as City’s players crowded the now beleaguered Referee, Mr Fissenden, when Sam Cox, already the subject of a sending off in Saturday’s prequel, made a robust challenge, felling a forward, but was given a yellow – not the red the City boys were screaming for.
Matters further heated up 5 minutes before the break when Jerome Okimo was similarly cut down and another yellow resulted, when, on another day, a red may have been brandished.
The half ended with a great chance for Taofiq Olomowewe but the young defender shot wide when well placed.
Stones were under the cosh for the first quarter of the second period as the home side piled on the pressure with some strong build up play and at one point had three successive corners that were all well defended.
But the away sides counter attacking strengths again came to fore on 57 minutes. Big Tiryaki expertly knocked the ball down in the area from a Brown cross and the lurking Eisa blasted the ball past Beasant.
City hit back soon after and North had to be constantly alert making several good interceptions. Saturday’s scorer Shaun Batt was introduced but as the clocked gradually ticked down the home side appeared to run out of ideas and momentum; Stones were able to close out the game utilising Harry Goodger’s game management techniques to good effect in the closing minutes. He replaced Tiryaki who hobbled off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
After the match, a beaming Stones Manager Bobby Wilkinson said: ‘ We had extra motivation for the game and this formed part of my team talk. We managed the game well after we went a goal down, this is something I keep talking about and we are improving in this area all the time. I am really proud of the players and this is a great result as we know what a tough place this is to come to. I want to thank all the fans for coming out in freezing weather – fantastic support for the lads again’
Asked about suspensions and injuries for Saturday’s big league clash, he said: ‘Yes, there will be a few missing. We will have to shuffle the squad, but we will relish the challenge as we know that they are an excellent side’
Stones entertain Braintree Town in the National League South on Saturday at The Vale, Kick Off 3pm
WEALDSTONE: North, Oshodi, Brown, Olomowewe, Day, Cox, Sellers, Okimo, Tiryaki, Green, Eisa. Subs used: Goodger. Not used: Fitchett, Williams, Wellard, Whichelow
By Nick DuGard