City Crash Out of Trophy to Clarets

Oxford City 0

Chelmsford City 1

Watts 58'

Oxford City crashed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy at the first stage as former National League South rivals Chelmsford City won 1-0 at the RAW Charging Stadium.

Callum Watts struck the only goal of the game on the hour as the Clarets sprung something of an upset against their National League opponents.

SELECTION

Ross Jenkins made two changes from the 2-2 draw with Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday.

Lewis Coyle dropped to the bench in favour of Alex McQueen & Mitchell Roberts was replace by Tafari Moore.

There was also a return to the RAW Charging Stadium for Maidenhead's Zico Asare, who spent a year with City during the 21/22 campaign.

First-Half

Neither keeper was particularly tested in the opening 45 minutes, but the visitors were certainly the most threatening, with Freddie Hockey and Charlie Ruff the particular dangermen for the Clarets, but both saw shots clear the crossbar.

It took the Hoops almost 45 minutes to have their first shot on goal, when Josh Parker’s effort from range had Jacob Marsden scrambling, but cleared the crossbar.

Half-Time: Oxford City 0-1 Chelmsford City

Second-half

Ross Jenkins’ men were certainly lucky to get into the break on terms, and he opted to switch to a back three for the second period, with Aaron Williams-Bushell introduced for Lewis Miccio, and Tafari Moore moving into the back three.

Williams-Bushell’s energy did immediately show as the Hoops earned their first corner of the game in the first minute after the restart, but the visitors quickly regained control of the match.

They eventually got their rewards just shy of the hour when a spell of pressure on the City defence saw a series of corners, after which the ball was recycled to Watts who cut inside and curled an effort from the edge of the box into the top corner.

City, though, did have their chances, and the best of these saw a long ball evade Zac McEachran to Josh Parker who had stayed onside. The striker tried to cut past his man and finish on his left foot, but was met by a fine save from Jacob Marsden.

Later on, and Williams-Bushell was found by an Alfie Potter flick on, but the winger’s shot went wide of the post.

But the Clarets had efforts of their own to put the game beyond doubt, with Jacob Bycroft forced into a fine save from Jermaine Francis’ header.

Callum Jones did have the ball in the back of the net again for the Clarets, but the Hoops were saved by the offside flag.

A very disappointing afternoon for the Hoops, but will look for a response next Saturday with a trip away at Boreham Wood.

City next return to the RAW Charging Stadium on Saturday 23^rd December, when Solihull Moors visit in the Vanarama National League.

Match Details

Attendance: 446 (92 Away)

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Bycroft, Miccio (Williams-Bushell 46’), Coyle, Fleet, Sanderson (Potter 60’), McEachran, Roberts, Parker, Carroll, Humphrey-Ewers (Kirby 70’), Moore.

Subs not used: McQueen, Brzozowski, Smith, Fonkeu

Chelmsford City XI: 

Marsden, Brookes, Barbrook, Jenkins, Francis, Ruff (Carruthers 87’), Barnum-Bobb, Hockey (Jones 83’), Watts, Castiglione, Ochieng (Wordsworth 90).

Subs not used: Gray, Alfa, Nicolaou, Coker