The Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Replay, Monday 2nd October 2023, 7:30 p.m. kick-off
Chelmsford City 3 (1) Bromsgrove Sporting 0 (0)
Bromsgrove Sporting made the long trip down to Essex on a damp Monday evening in the hope of progressing in the FA Cup with a replay against Chelmsford City. Unfortunately, it was not to be, with the home side the better team across 90 minutes and they now host Whitby Town in the next round.
After a four-hour journey and only two days since their previous match, The Rouslers understandably took some time to get into the game with their opponents dominating the early stages though chances were few.
With 18 minutes gone and Sporting looking more settled, Jack Newell played a superb ball out of defence to Conor Tee who raced up the right hand side before passing to Miro Pais who appeared to be brought down in the box but referee Mr Robertson-Trent waved play on.
Seven minutes later, Chelmsford themselves made a break down the right resulting in a fine shot from Mo Bettamer that Sporting keeper Ollie Taylor skilfully tipped over the bar.
The Clarets finally made their slight superiority pay on the 35th minute after Aksum White conceded a free-kick on the left. Ben Brookes hit the post from the set-piece that bounced out to Luke Jenkins who easy fired into the middle of the Sporting net to give his side the lead and that is how the scoreline remained at half-time.
Sporting came out more fired up after the interval and certainly had more possession than they enjoyed in the first period. The game was more entertaining and flowed from one end to the other with both teams having decent chances but it was the home side who doubled their lead on the 63rd minute when Callum Jones chased a clearance from the Chelmsford penalty area up field evading a tackle from Luke Rowe and with just Taylor to beat slid the ball into the Bromsgrove net.
Sporting then enjoyed their best spell of the match with substitute Callum King-Harmes and Conor Tee regularly testing the Clarets' back four but the scoreline remained unchanged.
At 90 minutes, Mr Robertson-Trent indicated six minutes of added time and with two of them gone, Chelmsford substitute Adam Mills made a cross into the Sporting box that Taylor inextricably fumbled; the ball dropped to the feet of Jones who tapped into the Sporting net for his second of the night.
A disappointing evening for the Bromsgrove outfit who like most clubs had hopes of making another round or two. Instead they will now be focussing on next Saturday's FA Trophy clash against Halesowen Town.
Sporting brought on Tris Dunkley to partner Kieron Berry up front and give them a bit more fire power along with
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Aksum White (Callum King-Harmes 67 mins), Ayo Lekuti, Jack Newell, Aaron Roberts, David Solademi, Miro Pais (Tris Dunkley 62 mins), Mike McGrath, Kieron Berry, Conor Tee, Luke Rowe (Capt). Unused substitutes: Kane Auld, Goodluck Eke, Ade Francis, Blake Kindred, Syrus Warren-Paul.
Sporting Player of the Match: David Solademi
Attendance: 526
Referee: Mr M Robertson-Trent
Report: Phil Baker
