Chelmsford City 1 Ebbsfleet United 5

Vanarama Conference South, Friday 26th December 2014

My first game of football for nearly three weeks saw a boxing day clash at Melbourne Stadium between Chelmsford City and Ebbsfleet United an Essex v Kent derby.  Fleet had a goal chalked off after four minutes for offside whilst City hit the bar as both teams looked to get their noses in front and it was Fleet who struck first when on ten minutes a corner kick was headed home by Kenny Clark.  Both teams created chances in a cracking first half but it was Fleet who doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Kenny Clark was shoved over in the box trying to get to a corner kick with his head and Billy Bricknell sent Bradley Watkins the wrong way for 2-0 to the visitors.  City continued to threaten and with five minutes of the half remaining pulled a goal back when Rhodell Gordon's centre found namesake Jaanai Gordon who headed past Brandon Hall for his debut goal and give the home side encouragement for the second half.   The second half started quietly, that was until the 55th minute when Fleet skipper Daryl McMahon curled home a beauty of a free kick from all of 30 yards out to make it 3-1 to the men from Kent.  Fleet were starting to take control and made it four on 71 minutes when after keeper Watkins had come out for a previous effort he was left stranded as sub Sean Shields lobbed him from the edge of the box and then it was five on 76 minutes when another sub Brendan Kiernon's run down the right ended with him squaring the ball to Billy Bricknell who slotted past Watkins first time for his second of the game and Fleet's fifth.  The scoreline was probably a little harsh on City but Fleet had been clinical when it mattered.  

Brantham Athletic 1 Yaxley 3

FA Vase 3rd Round Proper, Saturday 6th December 2014

My first game in December saw me travel to Brantham Leisure Centre in rural suffolk to see a FA Vase clash between Brantham Athletic and Yaxley.  The hosts certainly burst out of the traps quicker and took a 2nd minute lead when Jack Cawley's looping header from Kieran Lawler's corner found the far corner of the goal.  It was so nearly two a minute later when first of all Shawn Webb's effort was saved by Aaron Butcher before the rebound from Ollie Mann was also saved by Butcher.  The home side certainly created the better openings in a first half that was scrappy at times and devoid of much quality although the bobbley surface ceretainly made it difficult to play any sort of football although considering the amount of rain we have had lately it wasn't to bad.   Yaxley started to play some kind of football towards the end of the first half and this was a sign of things to come.  After the break Yaxley stepped it up and duly levelled six minutes into the second period when a cross was headed back into the dangerzone and Rob Hughes stabbed the ball past Joe Fowler high above his head to level this tie.  The hosts really had to dig deep as Yaxley came forward in waves and looked likely to go in front as they dominated the second half although Athletic did manage to weather the storm somewhat as the game went into a scrappy phase once again, possibly due to tired legs and the heavy pitch plus the enormity of the game itself.  With nine minutes to go Yaxley grabbed the all important second goal when full back Luke Hipwell drove forwards and eventually he managed to cut inside into the box and then drive the ball past Fowler inside the near post to send the visitors wild with delight, celebrating with their bench in front of the main stand.   Athletic tried to respond but found their efforts in vain and with two minutes left they were caught cold on the break when a long crossfield ball to Dan Cotton found him through on goal and he slotted past Fowler to seal the deal and send Yaxley into the next round.  It was a good effort from Brantham but they came up just short today against a very decent outfit.  I cant thank the club enough for making me feel so welcome today and for one of their official's to pay for my entry fee was just fabulous and epitimises what the club are like in my view.  It certainly made for an enjoyable day out and I'll certainly visit again.  Sadly for them they bow out of the Vase for this year though and congratulations to Yaxley for their victory.