Essex F.A. Premier Cup
1st Round
Saturday 7th October 2023
Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.03
Old Chelmsfordians 2 Colne Athletic 2 (8-9 pens) attendance 19
4’ 0-1
28’ 0-2
69’ 1-2
75’ 2-2 (pen)
@ Memorial Sports Field
Old Chelmsfordians Association
Lawford Lane
off Roxwell Road
Writtle
CM1 2NS
No Admission or Programme.
The drive from Ilford to Writtle, to the west of Chelmsford, saw me arrive an hour before kick off, with the SatNav taking me on a route that avoided the A12 in its entirety, mostly on ‘B’ roads. The sports ground and car park were very busy as Old Chelmsfordians ‘A’ team were also at home today in a Mid-Essex League game. There are two pitches here, both running widthways. The nearest one to the clubhouse/car park was hosting the ‘A’ team game, whilst the furthest one, beyond the cricket square, was where the first team were playing. The far side was roped off and was also home to a 50 seat stand.
The match was a Step 7 clash, with 5th in Essex Olympian League Premier Division (W4 D2 L2) hosting 1st in Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division (W10 D0 L1). Colne Athletic only took four minutes to open the scoring, when a ball in from the left wasn’t fully cleared and was finished with a low shot into the far bottom corner of the net. They doubled their lead with a shot that curled over the ‘keeper from the angle of the 18 yard box into the far corner. Their job looked to be made easier when Chelmsfordians had a player sin binned two minutes later and they were then down to nine men when their ‘keeper was also sin binned seven minutes after that. Their club linesman was also sent off following the second incident, but they managed to survive with their goal intact during this time.
With twenty one minutes left they pulled a goal back, walking the ball into an empty net, after their striker won a race with the Colne ‘keeper to a ball over the top. Four minutes later they were level, netting from the penalty spot, where Colne had a man sin binned for arguing over the decision. Both teams had a chance to win it. Chelmsfordians saw a header come back off the crossbar and Colne saw the home ‘keeper pull off a point blank save right on ninety minutes. It was straight to penalties. The first 16 were scored, before Chelmsfordians saw their next one saved. Colne then won it with their next kick. As with my game on Wednesday night, the F.A Full Time website shows the incorrect score of the shootout. According to them it was 9-10.
