CTFC vs Berkhamsted FC

FA CUP
vs
September 8, 2018
Score: 1 - 1

Match Report

The SeedGrowers welcomed Hertfordshire based Berkhamsted FC for the club’s first ever game in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup. Coggeshall also made history on Tuesday after overcoming neighbours Witham Town in the Preliminary Round. Manager, Graeme Smith selected the same team for the second game in a row and again was able to include Curtis Haynes-Brown amongst the substitutes bench as he continues his comeback from injury. Club captain, Luke Wilson was unfortunately still missing through injury.

Coggeshall dominated the opening exchanges at West Street, without ever testing the away side’s goalkeeper. Tom Monk created the best chance as he delivered a dangerous cross from the right hand ride, but sadly for the SeedGrowers none of his teammates were able to divert the ball home. Against the run of the play, Berkhamsted took the lead after thirteen minutes. A free kick was delivered in to the penalty area from wide on the left, the ball was headed back across goal to find Emmanuel Folarin who bundled the ball home from inside the six yard box.

As Smith’s side look to bounce back from going behind, they continued to dominate possession without being able to capitalise on their chances. An exchange of passes between Connor Hubble and Monk provided Coggeshall with their best chance, however Monk was unable to keep the ball under control and it dribbled through to the Goalkeeper.

As the game began a scrappy affair, the SeedGrowers started to let their frustrations get the better of them, after disagreeing with several decisions from the match referee. Frustrations then increased for the home side as the game drew closer to the half time interval, as Tyler Brampton broke the defensive line on the right hand side, he was pushed to the floor. Brampton and his team mates believed the foul occurred inside the penalty area, however the Referee disagreed and awarded Coggeshall a free kick which they were unable to make count.

HALF TIME: Coggeshall Town 0-1 Berkhamsted Town

After what appeared to be a tough talking to at half time, the SeedGrowers started the second half on the front foot. Monk had the first chance of the half, however his left footed volley was fired straight at Keeper, Weatherhall.

After fifty-five minutes, the SeedGrowers finally found the equalising goal they had been searching for with a sublime finish. Tevan Allen collected the ball inside his own half and drove towards the Berkhamsted defence, Allen looked to exchange passes with Nwachuku and the ball eventually fell to him on the half volley, 25 yards from goal. Allen didn’t think twice and bent a delicious, curling effort in to the top corner to leave Weatherhall no chance in the visitors goal. The SeedGrowers were back on level terms and still dominating proceedings.

Moments after their equaliser, Coggeshall made their first change of the afternoon with Aaron Condon replacing Tom Monk. Condon was straight in to the action, his left footed effort just wide of the post, after he cut in from the right hand side. Condon was soon in the action again and this time turned provider as he released Nnamdi Nwachuku in on goal. Nwachuku was able to control the bouncing ball around the Goalkeeper, however his right footed effort rebounded off the crossbar. George Cocklin pounced on the rebound but his effort was blasted past the post.

Having failed to test the Coggeshall defence throughout the first half, James Bransgrove was eventually called in to action as Berkhamsted looked to snatch the cagey cup tie on the counter attack. The visitors broke down the right hand side and forced the SeedGrowers shot-stopper in to a smart save with his feet. As the home side looked to steal the initiative and progress to the next round Kieran Bishop replaced Connor Hubble, which resulted in a change of formation.

As the game appeared to be drifting towards a Tuesday night replay, both Allen and Nwachuku had chances to snatch the tie. Allen was unable to keep his volley below the bar, whilst Nwachuku scraped the post with a right footed effort seen to go agonisingly wide.

FULL TIME: Coggeshall Town 1 – 1 Berkhamsted

Attendance: 208

Coggeshall Town:
James Bransgrove, Tyler Brampton, Kevin Coyle, Tevan Allen, Dexter Peter, Joshua Pollard, Tom Monk, Connor Hubble, Nnamdi Nwachuku, Ross Wall, George Cocklin.

Substitutes:
Jamie Shaw, Mitch Potter, Daniel Cunningham, Aaron Condon, Lewis Soraf, Curtis Haynes-Brown, Kieran Bishop.

Berkhamsted:
James Weatherhall, James Towell, Garry Jones, Emmanuel Folarin, Ryan Kinnane, Kyle Anthony, Courtney Massey, Liam McCrohan, Matt Bateman, Jordan Frederick, Ibrahim Lukulay.

Substitutes;
Ariel Manlon, Jack Stevens, Max Farrelly, Sean Coughlan, Marcus Campbell, Will Summerfield, Anthony Ball.