Adam Parker
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The Saints returned to Scraley Road, scene of their first round play-off success at the end of last season, and advanced to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the F.A. Cup courtesy of a second half brace of high quality goals, superbly taken by midfielder Gary Wraight.
With Dean Hooper suspended, City manager Steve Castle was able to call upon
Jamie Southon at right back, the former Hornchurch skipper on extended loan at Clarence Park now fit after a frustrating 10 game spell of injury. Limping from the start but playing today was Mel Capleton who had to be replaced between the sticks by Wesley Jackman just before the hour mark.
Heybridge started with a fierce wind at their backs and although both sides created scoring opportunities, it was City who were playing the better football during the opening 20 minutes. With just 2 minutes on the clock, Lee Clarke split the defence with a superb pass to Ben Walshe and his low shot from 20 yards was well taken by Darren Smith in the Swifts goal. Moments later, the home side responded when a long ball was gathered by Carl Griffiths but the strikers fierce shot was high over the crossbar, the first of half a dozen chances throughout the game for the Ryman League outfit which failed to hit the target.
City were creating chances of their own. Smith saved a shot from Ben Abbey from distance well and smartly blocked a crisp downward header from Clarke. Ram Marwa seized upon a poor clearance by the Heybridge defence but his first time shot was inches too high. The home side were relying upon the long ball carried by the wind and their best opportunity of the match came on 15 minutes when James Rowe outpaced the City defence to take the ball into the area only to be denied by Capleton, quick off his line to smartly gather at the striker's feet.
On 20 minutes, Clarke misjudged a Ben Walshe cross and, either in frustration or exhuberance punched the ball into the net to earn his 5th yellow card of the season.
Heybridge had weathered the storm and began to threaten, led from the midfield by their skipper, former City favourite John Pollard. Capleton was forced to show his pedigree with two fine saves from James Robinson within a couple of minutes and just before half-time, again timed his sprint from the line to perfection to block at the feet of James Rowe after the striker had cleverly danced through the visitor's defence.
City opened their account in the first minute of the second half. Smith hit a poor clearance from outside his area which fell to the feet of Wraight just 5 yards inside the Swifts' half. With just one touch, the ball was sent straight back goalwards over the frantically retreating keeper's head bouncing once before hitting the back of the net.
The Saints took control and two Ben Abbey shots in quick succession were fired wide. Jackman replaced Capleton and was soon in action to parry a fierce shot from Griffiths at full stretch and then to save at the feet of Dwayne Edwards.
The lead was extended on 69 minutes. A City attack was frustrated by weight of numbers and from the edge of the area Marwa played the ball back to Wraight, 30 yards out, who hit a first time strike with power which dipped into the roof of the net over the despairing dive of Smith.
To their credit, Heybridge responded and created several chances but could not breach the visitors defence. Griffiths made space but fired high yet again and Jackman saved well from substitute Ergun Artun. Edwards outpaced his man on the right and his cross found Artun unmarked 10 yards out, but his blasted effort was the highest of the day.
City ended the game on the attack and Smith was forced to make a fine double save during injury time from Walshe and Marwa. |