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Match Reports

📝 Match Report: Chelmsford City U18 0 Exeter City U18 4 | FA Youth Cup

Strong performance from City in the first round

16 November 2021

Match Reports

📝 Match Report: Chelmsford City U18 0 Exeter City U18 4 | FA Youth Cup

Strong performance from City in the first round

16 November 2021

Chad Gribble's Exeter City U18 progressed into the third round of the FA Youth Cup after a 4-0 win away at Chelmsford City on Monday night.

A brace from George Spencer alongside an Ed James header and Eli Collins' penalty saw the Grecians progress to round three. 

It took just 11 minutes for the Grecians to open the scoring, but in truth it could have been 2-2 inside the opening ten, with both sides missing glorious chances. Just 90 seconds into the match, the Chelmsford goalkeeper flapped at a cross, with Mitch Beardmore making a connection, but the home defence did well to force the ball out for a corner. 

Up the other end, the hosts hit the bar through Freddie Hockey before Gribble's men finally broke the deadlock. 

The opener came through James' rising header, as he leapt highest from the free kick set just outside the box to give City the lead. Eli Collins could have doubled the lead within minutes as his free kick bobbled into the hands of Josh Woodrow.

Chelmsford big break of the first half saw Harry Lee make a huge save from Reggie Gregory, before Luke Deslandes couldn't convert the follow up, but the Grecians reacted to the pressure by doubling the lead. 

It was George Spencer who reacted to a scramble in the six yard box to poke home from the corner to take a two goal lead into the break.

The Clarets were quick out of the traps in the second period and could have reduced the deficit inside five minutes when Alfie Gilbey beat Harry Lee - but not the post - from distance, before Gregory dragged the rebound wide. Deslandes then dragged a shot wide for the hosts, which came as a blessing in disguise for the Grecians.

From Lee's goal kick, City countered and it was Spencer who applied the final touch to Mitch Beardmore's cross following an exquisite lay off from Michel Lilley. 

Jamie Nicholson was denied a fourth goal with a quarter of an hour remaining after the referee blew for a foul inside the penalty area following a corner, but City would find a fourth before the end of the game. 

As Exeter quickly broke into the area, Evan Payne was penalised for a late and rash challenge, being shown a red card for his troubles and allowing Collins the chance from the spot.

Archie's brother made no mistake from 12 yards to send Gribble's side emphatically into the third round.

City XI: Lee (GK), King, Edgecombe, Lilley, Nevile (c), James, Wragg, Billington, Spencer, E.Collins, Beardmore. 

Subs: Sowden, O'Connor, Cunningham, Nicholson, Z.Collins, Hanson. 

Attendance: 240


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