So it was back to Melbourne (Chelmsford) for the replay of the First Round Proper.

Barnet were dominant in the first meeting, but with a Chelmsford equalising goal in the 92nd minute we knew anything could happen!

The excitement built as we approached the ground. All of Chelmsford seemed to be out to support their team with queues stretching all down the car park.

Once in, we enjoyed our trip to their very good clubhouse – ‘Clarets’. Ron had to use all his willpower to turn down the ‘Pie and a Pint’ deal they had on offer.

He, however, couldn’t resist some merchandise and bought his first memorabilia of our FA Cup journey – a lovely ‘claret’ red hat. And you needed it on a Tuesday night in November!

Chelmsford started the game with a strong, first chance after just three minutes – a header only narrowly going wide of the goal.

There was then another good shot on target and save by Barnet’s Walker to keep the score as 0-0.

Barnet, not wanting a repeat of the last match upped the pace and struck two shots on goal in quick succession – but to no avail.

To Chelmsford’s fans’ noisy delight, the score remained goalless into the half term.

BRING ON THE BURGER!

Having experienced ‘the most amazing cheeseburger’ when we were last here in the Fourth Round, opted for this Chelmsford delicacy once again. Perhaps it was the surprise of how ‘delicious and so worthy of the 9.0 score’ it was last time, or it was the two thousand plus more people they were trying to serve… but it didn’t quite live up to memory so gave it (a still positive) 7.5 this time round.

Back to the game.

We decided to get amongst the crowd and place ourselves in the stand behind the goal for the second half. In full support of the team, we had now seen play four times, we chanted our hearts out…

“One Charlie Ruff, there’s only one Charlie Ruff…”

Barnet had obviously had a talking-to in the changing rooms and came out in the second half strong. Or in the case of Barnet’s Sam Woods – a little too strong after he landed himself a red card after a challenge on one of Chelmsford’s players.

Okay, 10 men. Chelmsford can do this! Can they achieve a surprise goal like they did last time around?

Minutes later, the answer was no. Barnet’s Ryan De Havilland took the lead with a clever turn and shot into the goal.

As much as Chelmsford then tried in the closing minutes of the game, they just couldn’t get past Barnet’s defence.

Then, history started to repeat itself – a corner in the last seconds of extra time…

It was a strong shot but, unfortunately for Chelmsford and their record-breaking attendance of 3000+ fans, narrowly was pushed away by Barnet’s goalie, Walker.

After enjoying being a ‘Claret’ we move onwards and upwards to now Bee a fully-fledged member of Barnet’s fans – bring on the Second Round!