Chelmsford City 1 Dover Athletic 0
FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24^th September 2005

Chelmsford City: Anthony Anstead, Peter Smith, Michael Haswell, Shayne Mangodza, Russell Edwards (C), Greg Lincoln, Liam Hopkins, Craig Edwards, Jamie Moralee, Jordao, Helda Valdez (Victor Renner, 84mins).

Subs (Not Used): Jerome Sobers, Matthew Judge, Alex Lawler.

Dover Athletic: Paul Hyde 6, Tony Browne 6, Daniel Braithwaite 6, Dean Readings 6 (James Rogers 7, 65mins), Craig Cloke 6, Nick Humphrey 6, Danny Chapman 6, Lee Spiller 7, Craig Wilkins 7, Tommy Tyne 7 (Walid Matata 7, 23mins), Kevin Lott 8 (Dale Skelton 7, 42mins).

Subs (Not Used): Sam Vallance, Darren Smith.

Booking: James Rogers (89mins)

Referee: P C Martin

Assistants: M Glading and R Sidlin

Attendance: 404

Whites crashed out of the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage after a disappointing performance against Chelmsford. After conceding early on, Whites had to chase a game, something they haven't had to do so far this season, and to be honest they were lucky not to concede more.

There was only one change from the side that had beaten Cray the Tuesday before, with Kevin Lott coming into the side. After having an impressive League Cup game recently, he was chosen to replace the injured Anthony Hogg. And it was injuries that had a serious impact during this game as it turned out.

Although Whites immediately took the game to their opponents, with a mere five minutes gone they were behind. Liam Hopkins crossed from the right, Jamie Moralee headed the ball down, and Helda Valdez had time in the six-yard box to easily poke the ball home.

And although Tyne put the ball in the net minutes later, it was ruled out for offside, and the home side should have gone further ahead with 12 minutes gone. The ball fell to Moralee in the area, and his shot went just wide of the post. The game could have been all but over, and so early.

When Tyne pulled up midway through the half, you could tell it was fairly serious. Matata was brought on, but it failed to change the superiority Chelmsford were having, and they should have got their second soon after. Dean Readings missed his header, leaving Jordao a free run on goal, and his half volley sailed past Hyde but cannoned off of the inside of the post and away to safety.

Greg Lincoln hit the top of the bar with a cross, before another injury setback. Kevin Lott, who had been impressive, picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Skelton, minutes before the interval.

Whites could have drawn level before the interval however. Braithwaite had two chances, firstly shooting wide from the edge of the area, and then volleying wildly over when well placed at the back post.

And at the start of the second half it was the same story. Wilkins flicked on a Browne cross, and Braithwaite again volleyed over at the far post, to the disappointment of the large number of travelling fans.

Jordao went close with a header minutes after, before the Whites tactics were changed with their only remaining substitute. James Rogers replaced Dean Readings as Walker reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, in order to have more of an attacking impetus.

It almost had an immediate effect with Wilkins volleying on target, but it wasn't long before the home side were back threatening to increase their lead. Jordao was allowed to turn in the box twice in three minutes, but thankfully he shot just wide and then Hyde pulled off a good save to deny him what would have been a killer goal.

But Whites were still just in the game, and Skelton did manage to get the ball in the net, but the referee had already blown for a foul by Matata, and then Skelton again went close, this time shooting wide.

Ex-White Victor Renner was brought on for the final few minutes for the home side, and was given a bad reception by the Dover fans, but it wasn't long before he was celebrating with his team-mates once the final whistle had gone.