Chelmsford City 2 (Greenidge 16', Crichlow 64')
Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (Leachman-Whittingham 90+3')

Bromsgrove Sporting bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup at the Third Qualifying Round stage on Saturday afternoon, after losing 2-1 to National League South side Chelmsford City.

The home side took the lead in the 16th minute via a Jordan Greenidge a header before Kane Crichlow double the advantage 19 minutes into the second half.

Substitute Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham scored in second half added time but, despite a spirited end to the game, Paul Smith's men would ultimately fall short.

Sporting stopper Charlie Price had to be alert from the get go, as he kept out Chelmsford skipper, and namesake, Charlie Ruff's back post effort with his foot in the third minute.

The Rouslers' first chance of the match came five minutes later, as a good ball from Theo Robinson found Harry Crook, who's looping shot went just over the bar.

The Clarets' Osman Foyo had a couple of opportunities prior to the opener, one hitting the side netting and the other being saved well by Price.

The deadlock was broken via a headed effort from close range by Greenidge, with several Bromsgrove players feeling aggrieved that a foul was not given in the build up.

Foyo had further chances to get on the scoresheet before the half time whistle; yet another strike of his was saved by Price in the 33rd minute whilst, four minutes later, he put a one-on-one effort with the Bromsgrove keeper over the bar after beating the offside trap.

Robinson had a shot saved by Chelmsford's Ted Collins six minutes into the second half. Moments later, Foyo produced a shot that had the home fans cheering an expectant goal after initially smashing the post, only to hit the other post without crossing the line.

Price produced yet another fine save to keep out a Crichlow effort on the hour mark, but the Chelmsford attacker would have his goal four minutes later, as he finished off a decent move with an authoritative drive home from inside the box.

From there onwards, Bromsgrove enjoyed their best chances of the game. Jamie Meddows put a 67th minute shot over the bar before Ryan Snape curled a free kick from 30 yards narrowly wide four minutes later.

The first minute of added time saw Sporting captain Luke Rowe's fiercely struck shot kept out by Collins, with the Bromsgrove goal coming two minutes later. The Chelmsford keeper saved an initial strike, but Leachman-Whittingham was on hand to slot in the rebound from close range.

Sporting applied more pressure in the dying embers of the game as they hunted for the equaliser but it wasn't to be, as they would exit the competition at the same stage as last year and to the same opponents.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Entertainment Rating: 3/5

Reporter's Player of the Match: Osman Foyo (Chelmsford City)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Attendance: 808
Sporting Man of the Match, as chosen by diehard Sporting fan, Ian Wood: Charlie Price.

Report: Max Banner