SPAOTP's Road to Wembley: FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round

Apologies for the lateness but here's news of what happened on the third step of our 2007/08 Road to Wembley.

You'll remember from the last thrilling instalment that we were following Chelmsford City in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup (sponsored by E.On) as they travelled away to play Hemel Hempstead Town. Well the good news is that they won that match 2-0 thanks to a couple of early goals from Stuart Ainsley and Kezie Ibe...

"There were good performances all over the pitch and I think we were more than worthy winners" said Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather, adding "We don't mind who we get in the next round, as long as it's at home."

Unfortunately for Pennyfather, the draw for the Third Qualifying Round that took place two days later saw Chelmsford City hitting the road again - this time to Hayes & Yeading United.

Going into yesterday's match, Chelmsford were reeling from a number of injured and sick players which inevitably weakened the squad. Pennyfather was left with no option but to select the walking wounded that was available to him, and though they did the best they could, it proved to be insufficient. Chelmsford City lost 1-0 in the resulting one-sided match that went in favour of the home team for whom Tom Cadmore scored the winning goal on the hour mark.

A brave effort by Chelmsford City, then, but it was not to be. Still, if there's a motto that we should make our own on this Road to Wembley, it's "The king is dead - long live the King" for now we adopt the victors as our new team of choice. In the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup (sponsored by etc, etc), we'll be right behind Hayes and Yeading United who ironically play just nine miles or so from Wembley Stadium itself.

So near and yet so far from Wembley, it seems we've nearly reached our destination, but there's still a long way to go yet. Join us again soon as we embark on the next stage of our epic FA Cup quest.