Football

They're through again! Chichester City get bye to round two of the FA Cup

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2019

Chichester City’s FA Cup fairytale was a pretty good one already. Now it’s just gone up a few levels. Incredibly they were the one of the 79 teams in the draw not to be pulled out of the hat – giving them a bye to round two.

City’s fourth qualifying round win away to Bowers and Pitsea put them in with the big boys – and there were amazing, jubilant scenes in the City clubhouse at Oaklands Park as they were the last number left in the draw, meaning they get a bye.

It’s because Bury FC have been thrown out of the Cup and the Football League as they battle to stay in existence. It means City get the £36,000 prize money and a place in round two – one game from a potential tie against a Premier League or Championship team.

As the number of teams in the draw got fewer the tension mounted, and there was an incredible roar from the assembled players, families and backroom staff when they were not the last team pulled out and given a match to play.

Players hugged each other, one or two had a tear in the eye and there were loud renditions of Sweet Caroline – just as there had been after the fourth qualifying round win over Bowers and Pitsea.

The draw was live on BBC2 at the home of Maldon and Tiptree FC – the only other step four non-league side alongside Chi City left in the competition.

City boss Miles Rutherford and keeper Steve Mowthorpe were invited to attend the draw, while plenty of others in the City camp are gathering at the Oaklands Park clubhouse to watch – with a BBC South Today reporter and cameraman and of course the Chi Observer present to see who they drew.

Chi City chairman Andy Bell said before the draw he’d quite like to land the prize money and bye into the second round, although City would make a donation to Bury FC, whose absence means the bye is necessary, if that happened.

But Bell said he could also see the advantages of landing a big Football League club – or a game against another non-league side City would have a real chance of beating.

City assistant boss Graeme Gee was among those hoping City are paired with near neighbours Pompey, at home or away.

Everyone had a theory about what would constitute a good tie for City … but no one was complaining when they didn’t get one. It means they have got through SEVEN rounds of the Cup – and no team will be able to beat that.

Bring on round two!!!

How City won at Bowers and Pitsea – match report and video highlights

Madness! Incredible! Chi receive plaudits from all round

The draw and why Chi could get a bye

Picture special from the win that has earned a first round place

Clack and Clacket – Winger’s video from the service station goes viral

Football

Horsham YMCA take full advantage of AFC Uckfield Town implosion for victory

Published

12 months ago

January 21, 2020

Mr Crawley

Horsham YMCA assistant manager Julian Miller admitted AFC Uckfield Town’s second-half implosion ‘made it easier’ for his side in their 3-1 win over the Uckers on Saturday.

Tayler Maddock and Sam Cooper both received red cards while Dean Stewart-Hunter and Ellis Cormack were both sent to the sin-bin in a tumultuous second half which saw the visitors playing with just eight men for a short period of the game.

Johden De Meyer (centre) looks to jink through the Uckers defence

Miller said: “It was a really funny game because we missed a lot of chances and let them back in, and then, once we got going again, they got ill-disciplined and it was a lot easier than it could have been.

“Once we were playing against ten, then nine, then eight, we just kept the ball really well, stretching them.”

Miller also believes his side had a big impact on the visitors’ two red cards. He added: “We were putting them under so much pressure so we caused a lot of it.

“That made it easier for us but we pressured them into making these tackles because they couldn’t get anywhere near one or two of our players.”

Guy Harding looks to win the ball in an aerial duel

The tenth-placed Uckers began relatively well, handling the threat of a home attack with the best scoring record outside of the SCFL Premier Division’s top five without too much early trouble.

YM broke the deadlock in the 29th minute as Maddock felled a home forward and Dean Carden fired the resulting penalty into the top right corner.

READ MORE Horsham YMCA overcome nine-man AFC Uckfield Town – picture special | Steyning Town stall Peacehaven’s promotion push with victory | Sussex and Horsham hotshot top scores for England U19s in defeat
The hosts exerted their control before the break, but the Uckers still went close as Maclean almost met a Bailo Camara cross on the stroke of half-time.

The introduction of Dee Okojie at the restart proved pivotal when his 60th minute cross found Cormack who prodded a header home to equalise.

Adam Hunt battles with an AFC Uckfield Town player for the ball

While the Uckers would’ve expected to push on, the events of the next ten minutes removed all hopes of winning.

The away side self-combusted when Maddock was first shown a second yellow, then Matt Daniel put the hosts 2-1 up in the 65th minute, and Cooper was also awarded a second booking to add to Stewart-Hunter’s sin-bin soon after.

YM had full control thereafter and confirmed victory as Daniel bagged his second – and 21st of the season – in the 83rd minute, before Cormack was also placed in the sin-bin in the final few minutes.

Horsham YMCA: Jeal, Carden, Evans, Donaghey (Lovegrove 82), Harding (Gibbs 50), Hunt (Gedling 74), Lemon, Dugdale, Daniel, De Meyer, Clarke. Unused: Pavlovic, Eales.

Crawley Town

Birmingham City recall goalkeeper from Crawley Town loan spell

Published

12 months ago

January 20, 2020

Mr Crawley

Crawley Town goalkeeper Michael Luyambula has today (Monday) been recalled by his parent club, Birmingham City.

Luyambula has been recalled by the Blues in order to obtain more game time this season.

The 20-year-old joined the Reds on a season-long deal on July 12.

Crawley would like to thank Luyambula for his historic performances in a Reds shirt, most notably against Walsall, Norwich City and Stoke City in the Carabao Cup.

The Reds wish Luyambula all the very best in his future career.

Mayckol Sabino doubled the Barrowmen's lead with a superb chipped finish. Picture by Derek Martin

Steyning Town stall Peacehaven’s promotion push with victory

Sophie Ingle celebrates with Jonna Andersson after scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Meadow Park (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)