March to the Arch continues. Chelmsford went into the 2nd Round as the standard bearer for this Sports Pulse feature. Crawley Town were just too strong and take over the mantal for Round 3 and the visit of Reading. Full merit table update will appear around Christmas. Thank you to Chelmsford City FC for the following post.
Nicky Adams, Billy Clarke and Gary Alexander put ten-man Chelmsford City to the sword 3-0 as Crawley Town advanced to Round Three of the FA Cup amongst the Premier League giants, but Clarets boss Glenn Pennyfather maintained "perspective" afterwards, acknowledging: "We'll have to go and do it all over again next year!"
Chelmsford's Manager had led his team to the Second Round Proper for three consecutive campaigns only to be beaten by Wycombe Wanderers, Macclesfield Town and, now, Crawley. He'd hoped 2012 would be third time lucky, but an unfortunate 23rd-minute opener, followed by the dismissal of Donovan Simmonds a dozen minutes later for a second caution, meant City will seek further glory in other competitions.
Adams' cross-cum-shot drifted into the net to put the npower Football League side ahead against their opponents from three tiers below, then they pressed home their advantage against the depleted Clarets with a second as Clarke volleyed home four minutes before the interval. Chelmsford remained in mild contention, without troubling Crawley, until Alexander converted an 88th-minute penalty to wrap things up.
"We've got to put everything into perspective," reacted Pennyfather, with a potential run in the FA Trophy to construct as Hampton & Richmond Borough visit Melbourne on Monday night. "We've just lost to a team who beat Derby County and Bristol City last season from the Championship, and given Man United a good run for their money. I'm proud of the players, and when we take stock we've gained a lot from this cup run."
"When you're playing a higher level side you have to make sure you keep up with the tempo of the game. We did until they scored, then it was all uphill after the sending off - it'd be hard enough with eleven men. But Crawley... wow! They moved the ball quickly, didn't let us settle, and we can have no complaints with the result. It's easy to look at them and say that they were a Conference National side two years ago, but they're miles away from that now."
Regardless of the result, the entire club can reflect on this season's run with an enormous sense of satisfaction having claimed national plaudits since defeating Colchester United 3-1 in the last round. Underpinning that success has been the terrace support - 1,096 away fans made up around a third of the crowd - and Glenn added: "The supporters have been magnificent, as usual. Our fans made the most noise on the day, so in that respect we're winners!"
Adams' cross-cum-shot drifted into the net to put the npower Football League side ahead against their opponents from three tiers below, then they pressed home their advantage against the depleted Clarets with a second as Clarke volleyed home four minutes before the interval. Chelmsford remained in mild contention, without troubling Crawley, until Alexander converted an 88th-minute penalty to wrap things up.
"We've got to put everything into perspective," reacted Pennyfather, with a potential run in the FA Trophy to construct as Hampton & Richmond Borough visit Melbourne on Monday night. "We've just lost to a team who beat Derby County and Bristol City last season from the Championship, and given Man United a good run for their money. I'm proud of the players, and when we take stock we've gained a lot from this cup run."
"When you're playing a higher level side you have to make sure you keep up with the tempo of the game. We did until they scored, then it was all uphill after the sending off - it'd be hard enough with eleven men. But Crawley... wow! They moved the ball quickly, didn't let us settle, and we can have no complaints with the result. It's easy to look at them and say that they were a Conference National side two years ago, but they're miles away from that now."
Regardless of the result, the entire club can reflect on this season's run with an enormous sense of satisfaction having claimed national plaudits since defeating Colchester United 3-1 in the last round. Underpinning that success has been the terrace support - 1,096 away fans made up around a third of the crowd - and Glenn added: "The supporters have been magnificent, as usual. Our fans made the most noise on the day, so in that respect we're winners!"
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