Bucks spot-kick bottle sends Clarets corkscrewing out
I think it was a good cup tie, overall. Both sides were showing that they were capable enough and both sides wanted to win the game; it was never comfortable for either team. I'm delighted that we've obviously come out on the right side of the penalties. Fair play to Brandon (Hall); he's come up with two big moments when it looked like we were going out, and I'm delighted for the lads and everybody.
They say any progress is still progress, and although the Bucks couldn't win this FA Trophy tie in ninety minutes, they will be in Monday’s third-round draw thanks to greater bottle than the Clarets, holding their nerve from the penalty spot. Kicks from the 12-yard mark ultimately decided a tightly contested cup tie, with the two sides inseparable after regulation time. Telford converted six kicks to the Clarets’ five, and it was Adam Crowther’s spot-kick vanishing over the crossbar and into the assembled 40-50 travelling fans that released the cork in the Bucks’ fizz, with a heady cocktail of joy and nervous excitement being released by Crowther’s failure. Kevin Wilkin was forced into two changes to his starting eleven. Loan signing Michael Gyasi was cup-tied after playing for Kettering Town in earlier rounds, while Kian Ryley was denied permission to play by his parent club, Solihull Moors. Gyasi was replaced on the left of the Bucks’ attacking trio by Jack Lambert, whilst Taylor Anderson, who looked solid when given 45 minutes a week earlier, continued to deputise for Matt Curley at right-back. Chelmsford began the stronger of the two teams and settled quickest. The visitors moved the ball confidently and created the first moments of danger. Jamie Odegah was denied when Cawthorne headed away a dangerous Barham cross after Cranston had missed a header, while Cameron Green delivered a teasing ball to the far post that just evaded the advancing Mandela Egbo. The Bucks gradually grew into the contest and began to move the ball with greater purpose. Jamie Meddows’ clever reverse pass released Taylor Anderson down the right, and from the resulting corner Telford threatened when Cawthorne helped the ball on, and Meddows saw his effort blocked. The breakthrough came spectacularly after 21 minutes. Green, ironically allowed to play by Solihull despite Ryley having to miss out, was given space to advance into. Green let fly from fully 30 yards and produced a stunning strike that crashed against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down. Although Brandon Hall immediately gathered the ball and appeared unconvinced it had crossed the line, Green was certain and ran the length of the field to milk the applause from the Clarets followers. Telford responded positively. Remi Walker’s through ball sent Lambert clear and forced Marriott into a smart save at his near post, while Ashley Clarke wasted a promising Chelmsford counterattack by firing wide from distance. The Bucks’ increasing pressure was finally rewarded nine minutes before half-time. Mal Benning delivered a superb cross into the area from the left and, with several home players attacking the delivery, Cawthorne rose highest to guide a header beyond Marriott and level the scores at 1-1. Chelmsford nearly regained the advantage on the stroke of half-time when Odegah capitalised on charging down Cawthorne’s clearance and advanced into the box, only for Cranston to produce an outstanding sliding challenge to block the forward’s shot. The second half began curiously, with Green retaking the field but then unable to take any further part. Sitting on the turf, it became evident his afternoon was over, and he was replaced by Crwother. Once the game restarted, chances arrived at both ends. Odegah was booked early on as Telford applied pressure, and Cranston’s inviting delivery was met by Moult, whose twisting header brought an excellent save from Marriott. At the other end, Hall had to be at his best, making a fine block to deny Barham after a long ball caused problems in the Bucks defence. As the game opened up, Ashley Clarke dragged an effort wide before Cranston curled a free-kick into the side netting. Hall then produced another key intervention when Cranston blocked Odegah from close range after clever work by Barham. Lambert twice threatened for the home side, first seeing a shot blocked and later forcing Marriott into a comfortable save with a curling effort from 20 yards. Benning also tested the visitors with a fierce drive that deflected over. The final stages remained tense. Hall made a superb stop to turn substitute Ben Worman’s free-kick around the post, while Moult’s clever turn and cross almost created an opening. The Bucks fashioned one final opportunity when Moult’s pass found Stenson, whose lay-off allowed Lambert a sight of goal, but the midfielder skewed his shot wide. Neither side could find a winner in regulation time, so penalties settled the contest after an absorbing battle. Telford went first and converted through Matty Stenson, Moult, Alex Fletcher, Meddows and Benning, but misses from Cranston and Lambert had the nerves jangling. Chelmsford matched them almost kick for kick as Cav Miley, Ashley Clarke, Barham, Nathan Ralph and Egbo all scored. Hall kept the Bucks alive with saves from Worman and Rhys Browne, in response to the kicks Cranston and Lambert failed to convert, but when Isaac England converted nervelessly and Crowther blazed Chelmsford’s eighth penalty over the bar, the Bucks had done enough to edge through.
All images are copyright of Kieran Stoddart.