Super sub sinks Stevenage

Chelsea squeezed through to the Fourth Round of The FA Youth Cup despite a valiant effort from Stevenage Borough's scrooge-like defence.

On a freezing cold evening - Natalie Imbruglia's 'Shiver' being played at half-time summed it up perfectly - substitute Adam Phillip conjured up something magical to send the Blues back to London wrapped in seasonal cheer.

But the Londoners' hopes of getting anything from their trip to Stevenage looked doomed just two hours earlier.

With the Broadhall Way pitch covered in a winter frost, the referee, arriving late due to traffic, conducted a last minute inspection before finally giving the surface the thumbs up, the game finally kicking off at 7.55pm - 25 minutes later than scheduled.

After Stevenage's Zak Burke dragged an early volley wide, the game followed its expected path with Chelsea dominating possession. Indeed, their hogging of the ball mirrored a child on Christmas Day not wanting to share his most cherished toy.

But Stevenage were not prepared to play the role of whipping boys although had Jeffrey Bruma's fourth minute shot not been cleared off the line by Matthew Pring then the floodgates may have been busted wide open.

Camping out in the Stevenage half, Chelsea directed proceedings like a conductor does an orchestra.

In Miroslav Stoch, Chelsea have a supremely gifted youngster with the treasured ability to beat players. Stationed on the left flank but strong with his right foot, the Slovakian with luminous yellow boots was a constant thorn in Stevenage's side, dancing on ice despite Ashley Grinham's battling performance.

Alongside him in midfield, the excellent Lee Sawyer (pictured above) - whose night would be curtailed with a dislocated shoulder - and the efficient Michael Woods (pictured below) kept the Chelsea wingers in constant supply of the ball.

Chelsea should have taken the lead midway through the half when Frank Nouble charged down the line before squaring the ball to the wonderfully named Sergio Tejera. With just the keeper to beat, the Spaniard cleverly opened his body up but somehow contrived to guide the ball past the far post.

Stoch, who had earlier been put in a headlock by his marker, sought revenge with his lightning quick feet. He was inches away from handing his side a stunning opener on 37 minutes, his shot fizzing just wide, and moments later hit the side-netting from a free-kick.

But Chelsea did not have to wait long to take the lead. Phillip, an England U17 international, after being introduced as a substitute needed just 11 minutes to make himself known, waltzing around the Stevenage defence before delivering the deadliest of finishes.

The hosts, warmed by their half-time tea, began the second half with renewed vigour buoyed at still being within touching distance. However, like Chelsea, their failure to apply a finish proved crucial.

They conjured up their best move of the game on 54 minutes when Joe Finn and Sam Kenningham linked to set up Scott Balderson but he fired just over the bar.

The impressive Balderson then tested Chelsea keeper Rhys Taylor three minutes later as Stevenage pushed for an equaliser.

Chelsea responded with a period of sustained pressure. They managed to put the ball in the net on 75 minutes, Ben Gordon touching home Phillip's deft pass, but they were frustrated by the linesman's flag.

Stoch was inches away from the goal his performance merited, crashing a powerful drive against the post with Christopher Adams left clutching at the night air.

Stevenage almost provided a string in the tail in injury time and only the alertness of Taylor, a virtual spectator throughout, kept Chelsea ahead.

He rushed off his line to hack clear from the path of Burke and seconds later dived low to make a save which ensured his side progressed into the next round.