League

Stalybridge Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Gus Westerby took the kick off in the first half of the match. Damion Lonsdale made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Matt Couch in the 3rd minute of play. Tod Gale was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Sidney Freeman showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 4 minute of play. 7 minutes into the match, Chelmsford's goal looked a bit too open when Sidney Freeman came free, but Tod Gale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 9 minutes into the match, Stan Leather notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Stalybridge United's Damion Lonsdale. Damion Lonsdale was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After a rather tough play, Stalybridge United's Deon Porter got a free kick in the 14th minute. Stalybridge United's Damion Lonsdale played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Geoff Sullivan in the 15th minute of play. The referee gave Chelmsford a penalty, 18 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Lance Pearson, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Stalybridge United's Damion Lonsdale. 1-2. After some fancy dribbling in the 21st minute, Gus Westerby managed to get in a good position for a shot. Stalybridge United's supporters rose to their feet, but Gus Westerby was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tod Gale breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Stalybridge United's Callum Black got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Stalybridge United's Damion Lonsdale played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Geoff Sullivan in the 25th minute of play. 33 minutes into the match, Stalybridge United's goal looked a bit too open when Matt Couch came free, but Damion Lonsdale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Damion Lonsdale showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Matt Couch, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. After 33 minutes, Deon Porter mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Stalybridge United and the Chelmsford players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 34th match minute, Stalybridge United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Deon Porter to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of Stalybridge United booed when Chelmsford was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Stan Leather didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 41st minute Geoff Sullivan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Damion Lonsdale saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Stalybridge United's Deon Porter got a free kick in the 41st minute. Geoff Sullivan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 44 minutes, Stan Leather managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Chelmsford's supporters crossed their fingers, but Stan Leather was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 45th minute Matt Couch shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Damion Lonsdale saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 48 minutes, Lance Pearson mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Chelmsford and the Stalybridge United players grew even worse after the yellow card. The referee gave Stalybridge United a penalty, 51 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Gus Westerby, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Chelmsford's Tod Gale. 2-3. The Stalybridge United players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Chelmsford were winning 2-3.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Geoff Sullivan to make the kick off. When Matt Couch fell near the penalty area in the 56th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Chelmsford's protests and gave Matt Couch a yellow card for diving instead. In the 56th minute, Matt Couch hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 57th minute of the match Gus Westerby shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Tod Gale showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Deon Porter fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 62nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tod Gale having to interfere. Stan Leather's late challenge caught a Stalybridge United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Stan Leather helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Stalybridge United booed when Chelmsford was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 64 match minutes in a wonderful position. Stan Leather didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 66th minute, Callum Black managed to get in a good position for a shot. Stalybridge United's supporters rose to their feet, but Callum Black was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tod Gale breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 70 minutes into the match, Sidney Freeman had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Tod Gale. Chelmsford's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Sidney Freeman was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-3. In the 74th minute Geoff Sullivan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Damion Lonsdale saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Damion Lonsdale made an important save on a dangerous shot by Matt Couch in the 75th minute. Phillip Dove's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Damion Lonsdale firmly grabbed it by the left post. The crowd rose to their feet as Chelmsford's Matt Couch slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Damion Lonsdale. That made the score 3-5 after 86 minutes of play. Deon Porter recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 90th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Gus Westerby struck a weak shot in the 91st minute. Tod Gale didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Stalybridge United. After some fancy dribbling in the 93rd minute, Callum Black managed to get in a good position for a shot. Stalybridge United's supporters rose to their feet, but Callum Black was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tod Gale breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in Chelmsford's zone, Deon Porter stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tod Gale came out of the goal and Deon Porter tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. During the 101st minute of the match Lance Pearson completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Lance Pearson a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 100th minute of the game. One of Chelmsford:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Stalybridge United:s goal. In the 102nd minute there was a penalty for Stalybridge United. Gus Westerby stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Tod Gale. 4-5.