Stevenage Borough come from a goal down to see off Chelmsford.
Chelmsford City 1-2 Stevenage Borough
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Fourth Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 24 October 2009
Melbourne Stadium, Chelmsford City FC
Winning clubs will receive £12,500 from The FA prize fund
Full list of Fourth Round Qualifying results
First Round Proper draw details
Substitute Peter Vicenti broke Chelmsford hearts with a stoppage time winner against the 10-man Clarets in a pulsating Cup tie at Melbourne Stadium. The striker had been on the field for a matter of seconds when Yemi Odubade presented him with the simplest of chances to end Chelmsford’s stubborn resistance.
The tie looked to be heading towards a replay after Charlie Griffin looped a 63rd-minute header past Chelmsford goalkeeper Ashley Harrison to cancel out Robert Edmans’ first-half opener for the hosts.
Vicenti’s winner was the culmination of a period of intense Stevenage pressure, but was hard on a Chelmsford side who put in a spirited performance against a visiting team who have lost just once this season.
However, the hosts’ cause was not helped by a 65th-minute red card for midfielder, Simon Glover, deservedly dismissed for a reckless two-footed challenge on goalscorer Griffin.
It was a sad way to end the day for Chelmsford’s fans, who were celebrating one of the club’s biggest occasions since football finally returned to the town.
The Conference South club were made homeless after the closure of their New Writtle Street ground in 1997 and lived a nomadic existence until the opening of Melbourne Stadium three years ago. A bumper crowd of 1,762 packed in to their new home, hoping to see the Clarets reach the First Round Proper of the world’s oldest Cup competition.
But Glenn Pennyfather’s team knew they would have their work cut out against a Stevenage side aiming for promotion to the Football League, and eventually the task proved too great.
Chelmsford were rocked prior to kick-off with the news that influential captain, Dave Rainford, was not fit enough to make the match day squad but, undaunted, the hosts started the game brightly with winger Ricky Holmes providing a constant headache for the Stevenage backline.
The hosts finally capitalised on their strong opening when striker Edmans latched on to Michael Haswell’s hopeful ball forward and expertly rounded Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day before slotting into an unguarded net - to the delight of the Chelmsford fans massed behind the goal.
Despite falling behind, the visitors continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the first-half and, amid driving rain, almost equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Griffin somehow found a yard of space inside the Chelmsford six-yard area but saw his feint header come back off the inside of the near post.
Antonio Murray missed a golden opportunity to double Chelmsford’s advantage just moments after the restart and the hosts were made to pay when Griffin headed home midway through the second half.
And despite a fine rearguard effort after being reduced to 10-men, Chelmsford eventually succumbed to Stevenage’s concerted pressure.