Having challenged his side to call upon the memories of last season’s superb FA Cup run, Chelmsford City manager Glenn Pennyfather was delighted to see the Clarets ease past Tonbridge Angels in the Second Qualifying Round.

 

City made it to the Second Round Proper of the competition and a clash with League Two Wycombe Wanderers in 2010/11, with Pennyfather promising in his programme notes that they would be “hungry to enjoy more of the same”, and they certainly began their run this term in some style.

 

Without a win in six Blue Square Bet South fixtures at Melbourne Stadium, a change in competition helped the Clarets to turn the tide as goalkeeper Stuart Searle returned from injury to take his place. But he was barely called upon during an opening period that was dominant, if unspectacular, from City’s point of view.

 

“It’s obviously great to get that first home win under our belts,” explained Pennyfather after the game, “and we want to start a run of victories now by making sure it’s the first of many. The FA Cup is a great competition and we knew if we to progress this season we’d have a tough start, but we’ve come through that test with flying colours.”

 

Ricky Modeste, who scored when the sides last met less than a fortnight ago, could have put Chelmsford in front inside the 1st minute but he angled his side-footed finish wide of the post with the goal gaping. Cliff Akurang arrowed a shot into the gloves of visiting custodian Lee Worgan in the 8th minute before twin flag kicks from Aiden Palmer saw Worgan tip over and then a defender cleared Max Cornhill’s header off the goal line.

 

Lewis Taylor’s fierce shot over from distance just before the half-hour was City’s one anxious moment in the first half, but Cornhill quickly reciprocated ahead of Worgan’s smart stop when one of his own defenders inadvertently headed another Palmer corner goalwards.

 

Clarets Captain David Rainford was unlucky to see a strong shot deflected wide before nodding in Sam Corcoran’s free kick from an offside position, meaning that City had to wait until the final minute of stoppage time to take the lead as Palmer’s set piece delivery dropped into the path of Ibe and he coolly slotted home from close range.

 

The former Farnborough Town front man hadn’t scored in his four starts this season - his previous contribution coming as a substitute at Weston-super-Mare - but Ibe doubled his tally for the afternoon five minutes after half time when Modeste’s pass was cut out and fell kindly for him, setting the scene for a scintillating strike from 25 yards.

 

Ibe and Cornhill both fired over in the aftermath, but the hosts made sure that there would be no repeat of letting slip another 2-0 lead against Tonbridge in the 73rd minute when Modeste’s teasing centre was nodded into his own net by Ben Judge.

 

Four minutes later Worgan upended Akurang as the striker attempted to round him, leading to a penalty which Ibe took in the absence of the substituted Rainford, but this time his finish eluded him as the ‘keeper leapt to his left to push the shot to safety.

 

However, there was still time for Angels replacement Tim Olokunde to be dismissed, picking up a second booking after being cautioned whilst still a sub during the opening period for making his feelings known to one of the assistant referees.

 

Greg Morgan forced a parried shot from Worgan before Joe Benjamin twice went close for the Clarets late on, but Pennyfather was nonetheless pleased to see his side both victorious at home and in the hat for the Third Qualifying Round.

 

City:

 

1 Stuart Searle

2 Justin Miller

3 Aiden Palmer

4 Adam Tann

5 Kenny Clark

6 David Rainford (C)

7 Ricky Modeste

8 Sam Corcoran

9 Kezie Ibe

10 Max Cornhill

11 Cliff Akurang

 

12 Joe Benjamin (On for Akurang, 79)

14 Jermaine Brown

15 Anthony Cook (On for Rainford, 70)

16 Mark Haines

17 Greg Morgan (On for Modeste, 85)

18 Ben Nunn

20 Warren Whitely

 

Tonbridge Angels: Lee Worgan, Jake Beecroft (Danny Walder, 80), Jon Heath, Lee Browning, Ben Judge (C), Ben Andrews, Sonny Miles, Anthony Storey (Tim Olokunde, 80), Ade Olokunde, Frannie Collin, Lewis Taylor (Chris Henry, 64). Unused Substitutes: Scott Kinch, Jon Main.

 

Bookings: Chelmsford: Clark (58, foul). Tonbridge: Tim Olokunde (37, dissent and 85, foul), Storey (41, foul), Heath (78, dissent), Miles (87, unsporting behaviour).

 

Sent Off: Tonbridge: Tim Olokunde (85, second bookable offence).

 

Referee: Richard Kendall (Luton).

 

Assistant Referees: Alastair Rayner (Chatteris) and Anthony Da Costa (Bar Hill).

 

Attendance: 653.

 

City Man of the Match: Kezie Ibe.