Well over one-and-a-half thousand Chelmsford and Aveley fans made good use of the space vacated by Southend United’s supporters on Saturday afternoon, although it was the Clarets’ followers in the Greens and Blacks that were celebrating rather than their Millers’ counterparts in the Blues and Reds after a demolition job inspired by a man on his return to Roots Hall - Garry Cross - and another who followed in the footsteps of current Shrimper Stephen Broad -former Chelsea reserve team captain Danny Slatter.
Immediately it was Chelmsford who were on the attack. A long free-kick from Slatter picked out centre-half Simon Clarke in the box, and his turn and shot was blocked into the path of ex-Cheltenham Town marksman Dale Watkins. He poked his right-footed effort inches wide of the left upright after just 47 seconds, and this set the pace for the rest of the encounter. Five minutes later, Tony ‘Junior’ Samuels outpaced Robert Bird down the inside-right channel, and cut the ball back for Cross on the penalty spot. Unfortunately for the winger, his effort was deflected over.
In a rare mistake, Clarke slipped and allowed Dave Cannon to pounce onto a loose ball on the edge of the City box, but his lack of control allowed Paul Nicholls to race off his line and block the shot away relatively easily. In the 14th minute, a Slatter corner from the southeastern corner of the ground picked out Clarke seven yards out, but the defender's header was powered over the crossbar.
Less than sixty seconds later, the Clarets were denied a clear penalty by referee Steve Ruberry of Ilford. Samuels easily ran clear of Steve Dickinson, but as he pulled back his right foot to shoot, the centre-back hacked him down ten yards out, with Ruberry waving his hands in front of him.
Three minutes on, the decision was of no consequence as a stunning solo effort gave the mid-Essex side the lead. Slatter picked up the ball some 45 yards from goal, advanced to the edge of the penalty box and unleashed a low effort towards the bottom right-hand corner, which Aveley custodian Darren Smith could only palm the shot into the unguarded net.
Within two minutes, the Millers had wasted a golden opportunity to pull level. Midfield playmaker Carl Allison threaded a beautiful ball into the path of Danny Curran thirty yards out. He was one-on-one with Nicholls, but the former Chelsea reserves shotstopper was off his line quickly once again to clear with his legs.
Just before the half-hour, Chelmsford doubled their advantage. A long through ball from captain Mike Rutherford picked out Watkins ten yards from goal. In one movement the bald headed striker slipped the ball right-footed into the bottom left-hand corner of the net from the inside right position. Aveley heads dropped, and soon afterwards Wes Faulkner was cautioned for a reckless foul on Samuels near the halfway line.
The Millers briefly threatened again as the lively Curran cut inside from the right wing to fire a wicked dipping effort just a couple of feet over the north stand crossbar, but on 36 minutes City had a third. Rutherford charged down Ernie Bentley on the left wing, and his pass inside found Watkins. He slickly touched the ball on to Cross, who fired into the net from no more than ten yards. He raced towards the Chelmsford fans with his arms aloft.
Rutherford was harshly booked for a tackle from behind on Carl Fannon, and Aveley briefly threatened again; a long free-kick from Dickinson picked out Faulkner on the far post, but he dragged his effort into the side netting from close range. The first period ended in the City box, but Nicholls blocked out Aaron Wright’s six-yard near-post shot with ease.
The second period could never reproduce the sparkle that the opening 45 minutes had shown. Indeed, it took eight minutes for either side to register an attempt on target, but Curran’s shot from the edge of the area lacked conviction, and Clarke got his legs in the way. A poor, but spectacular, acrobatic half-volley from Allison was comfortably saved by Nicholls three minutes later, but after a terrible studs-up challenge from Cannon on Keith Sharman, and a number of substitutions, it wasn’t until a 35-yard shot from Allison that a goalkeeper had anything to do.
Just past the 75-minute mark, Chelmsford finally registered their fourth goal. Garry Cross was the speedy winger, and Barry Lakin was the grateful recipient of a beautiful pass, lashing the resultant ball into the left-hand side of the goal, well out of Smith’s reach. The Clarets’ travelling army had by now resorted to chanting “One team in Essex”, assured already of the triumph.
Nine minutes on, Samuels made absolutely sure. He picked up the ball on the left edge of the area, cut inside Dickinson, beat his man for pace and then rounded the ‘keeper. Not content with that, he lost control of the ball, regained his composure and nutmegged Smith to take the plaudits. A final effort from 25 yards, courtesy of ex-Shrewsbury Town winger Austin Berkley in injury time followed a Dickinson header over the crossbar at the other end, and all that was left was for Chelmsford City captain Mike Rutherford to hold the Essex Senior Cup aloft. The Clarets are 2002/3 champions; maybe next year will be Southend United’s year…
TEAMS
Chelmsford City (claret shorts with white numbering; claret shorts; claret socks; 4-4-2 with player ratings): Paul Nicholls 7; Brian Statham 6, Simon Clarke 7, Keith Sharman 6, Lewis Reid 6; Garry Cross 8 (George Lay 78, 6), Danny Slatter 9 (Gareth Street 83, 6), Mike Rutherford 7, Austin Berkley 7; Tony Samuels 7, Dale Watkins 8 (Barry Lakin 65, 7). Sub not used: Steve Butterworth.
Aveley (blue shirts with white trim and red numbering; blue shorts; blue socks; 4-4-2 with player ratings): Darren Smith 4; Ernie Bentley 5, Steve Dickinson 7, Wes Faulkner 6, Robert Bird 5; Tolo Mas 5 (Mark Robson 49, 5), Carl Fannon 5, Carl Allison 7, Danny Curran 7 (Nicky Wilson 55, 5); Aaron Wright 5, Dave Cannon 6. Subs not used: Jimmy Stevens, Kevin Hoddy, Luke Bauckham.
Referee: Steve Ruberry (Ilford) 4 out of 10
THE LITTLE GAZETTE MAN OF THE MATCH
Danny Slatter (Chelmsford City)
Slatter was on the books of Chelsea as a youngster, and represented the Welsh Under-21 side, and his class clearly shone through as he dominated the midfield along with Rutherford, Cross and Berkley. If Rob Newman was looking at a central midfield player to take on trial, he could look no further than Slatter, who was a class apart with some stylish passing, a decent left foot and a cracking goal to his name.
MATCH INCIDENTS
Goals: Danny Slatter (Chelmsford City; 1-0; 16 minutes, 22 seconds; low shot, outside penalty area), Dale Watkins (Chelmsford City; 2-0; 28 minutes, 32 seconds; low shot, inside penalty area), Garry Cross (Chelmsford City; 3-0; 35 minutes, 34 seconds; low drilled shot, inside penalty area), Barry Lakin (Chelmsford City; 4-0; 75 minutes, 1 second; low drilled shot, inside penalty area), Tony Samuels (Chelmsford City; 5-0; 83 minutes, 28 seconds; low shot, inside penalty area, through goalkeeper’s legs)
Bookings: Wes Faulkner (Aveley; 31 minutes; professional foul), Mike Rutherford (Chelmsford City; 38 minutes; tackle from behind), Dave Cannon (Aveley; 57 minutes; dangerous foul play)
Red Cards: none
MATCH STATISTICS
Competition: Essex Senior Cup Final
Competing Teams: Chelmsford City vs. Aveley
Date: 24th March 2003
Kick-Off: 7.45 p.m.
Attendance: 1,824 (approximately 1,000 Chelmsford City, 800 Aveley and 10 Southend United)
Result: Chelmsford City 5 Aveley 0 (Half Time: Chelmsford City 3 Aveley 0)
Shots On Target: Chelmsford City 8, Aveley 5
Shots Off Target: Chelmsford City 5, Aveley 5
Shots Blocked: Chelmsford City 3, Aveley 3
Shots Against Woodwork: Chelmsford City 0, Aveley 0
Free-Kicks Awarded: Chelmsford City 11, Aveley 14
Corners Awarded: Chelmsford City 6, Aveley 7
Offsides: Chelmsford City 3, Aveley 1
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com