Summary
City are out of the Carling Cup after they were stunned by a second half comeback by Chesterfield. Samaras’ close-range effort before the break edged City ahead, but first Folan’s header and then Niven’s spectacular drive from 25 yards turned the tables to put City out of the competition.
Team news:
Stuart Pearce made two changes from the team that started at Ewood Park, with Reyna replacing the injured Trabelsi, Trevor Sinclair shifting back to the right of midfield. Paul Dickov was on the bench so Georgios Samaras partnered Bernardo Corradi.
Nick Weaver was the sole starter from the last time City played at Saltergate, in February 1999, although Paul Dickov made an appearance from the bench that day.
The Match
City were wearing the new black away kit for the first time this season.
City nearly had the perfect start when, in the very first minute, Joey Barton found Samaras in space on the right-hand side. The striker cut into the box, but his left-footed shot was deflected over by a last minute challenge by a home defender.
Bernardo Corradi had City’s next chance after four minutes, when the Italian latched onto a defensive shot but with a blue shirt pressuring him he put his shot over Roche’s bar.
The home side’s first threatening attack came just two minutes later when Caleb Folan broke through after eluding Dunne, but Weaver read the danger and kicked to touch after racing out of his box.
After a long spell without any chances at either end, Chesterfield missed a great opportunity to take the lead on the half hour. Folan started a move and got the ball back in a lot of space inside the box, but he snatched at the chance and put the ball a long way over Weaver’s bar.
Kevan Hurst’s shot on 35 minutes struck Richard Dunne on the body inside his penalty area, but it was not handball and not the penalty that the home crowd were baying for.
But on 40 minutes City took the lead through Georgios Samaras. Richards whipped in a free kick from the right hand flank and the diving Bernardo Corradi headed the ball goalwards. The ball struck the post but the Greek striker pounced to knock the rebound into the net with ease.
There was controversy in stoppage time at the end of the first half, when Nick Weaver collected a high ball and stepped out of the area while still holding the ball. With the crowd calling for the City keeper to go, referee Wright only showed him the yellow card.
However the hosts got right back into the match six minutes into the second half. Picken swung in a free kick from the left of City’s area, and Caleb Folan atoned for his earlier miss by heading the ball into the corner of Weaver’s net.
The home side were lifted and were having the best of the play, and things got better for them and worse for City on 66 when they took the lead. The ball came out to Derek Niven from the left and the midfielder volleyed the ball into the top corner of the net from 25 yards out, leaving Nick Weaver with no chance.
However the hosts got right back into the match six minutes into the second half. Hurst swung in a free kick from the left of City’s area, and Caleb Folan atoned for his earlier miss by heading the ball into the corner of Weaver’s net.
The home side were lifted and were having the best of the play, and things got better for them and worse for City on 66 when they took the lead. The ball came out to Derek Niven from the left and the midfielder drove the ball into the top corner of the net, leaving Nick Weaver with no chance.
Ishmael Miller came on for Reyna with 20 minutes to go and nearly made an impact within seconds of coming on. His cross from the left was heading for Sinclair, steaming into the area but Picken touched it behind for a corner, from which City could make nothing.
With the clock against City the home side repelled City’s attacks, with substitute Stephen Ireland managing a shot on target with five minutes left, but it lacked power and Roche took it easily.
City went close with less than two minutes left when Distin rose to a corner from the left, but with a crowd of bodies around him, the ball went wide of the right post.
The board showed four minutes were to be added on, to the home crowd’s dismay. Nick Weaver moved forward for a corner in the first minute of stoppage time but once more nothing came from it.
Distin’s throw in in the 93rd minute was punched clear by Roche, and seconds later the referee blew to end City’s hopes in the Carling Cup in the second round for the second consecutive year.
