Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB reporting from the Melbourne Community Stadium

Chelmsford City are now potentially 90 minutes away from a place in the 1st round proper of the FA Cup, as they overcame the challenge of Evo-Stik South Premier Division side Weymouth.

Rod Stringer’s Clarets had the majority of the possession and all of the limited chances in the early stages of the game, with striker Chris Dickson having a good effort saved by Terras goalkeeper Mark Travers after 5 minutes and it was not until the 12th minute that Weymouth had a shot at the opposite end, but Josh Carmichael’s effort went over the bar. Dickson again went close in the 18th minute, with an excellent long range effort which forced a fine save from Travers. At the other end, with 24 minutes gone Brandon Goodship had the visitors’ first effort on target, but Chelmsford keeper Sam Beasant saved comfortably.

Dickson was continuing to cause problems for the Weymouth defence and had another decent effort on 35 minutes, which Travers had to be alert to stop. Then 3 minutes later Tom Hitchcock went close inside the area, but he too was thwarted by a save from the Terras keeper and the match remained goalless at the interval.

Four minutes into the second half Goodship had a good effort for the visitors from outside the area, which forced a fine save from Beasant. Then Chelmsford were awarded a penalty not long before the hour mark, when Dickson was bundled over inside the box. Dickson then stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake, his emphatic strike going to the right of Travers to make it 1-0 to City.

Weymouth showed their determination to get back into the tie, Jake McCarthy’s excellent effort forcing another fine save from Beasant on 68 minutes. But with 10 minutes remaining Dickson provided the best moment of the tie, the former Charlton Athletic forward scoring his and the Clarets’ second with a superb right foot curler from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net.

City almost added a third in the 88th minute, when Matt Johnson set up fellow substitute Lee Barnard who forced a save from Travers, but the action moved to the other end and Weymouth suddenly pulled goal back a minute from time, when Terras’ second half substitute Harry Baker’s effort rolled past Beasant into the net. But Chelmsford held on, and their name now goes into Monday’s draw for the 4th qualifying round.

Chelmsford City: Sam Beasant, Daniel Green (Matt Johnson 86), Craig Barham Barrett, Mark Haines, Michael Spillane, Chris Smith, Scott Davies, Anthony Church, Kudos Oyenuga (Lee Barnard 69), Chris Dickson, Tom Hitchcock (Ashley Miller 81).

Weymouth: Mark Travers, Calvin Brooks, Callum Buckley, Ashley Wells (Harry Baker 72), Mark Cooper, Josh Carmichael, Charlie Davis (Sean Stewart 79), Jake McCarthy, Ben Thomson (Liam Farrugi 86), Brandon Goodship, Josh Wakefield.

Attendance: 664