How Gulls’ keeper ended up in goal for Chelsea’s reserves (From Echo)

How Gulls’ keeper ended up in goal for Chelsea’s reserves

12:55pm Thursday 26th January 2012

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CANVEY keeper James Russell produced a terrific display as he turned out to play for Chelsea’s reserves against their Norwich counterparts in front 3,138-strong crowd at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.

Russell, a graduate of the Chelsea Academy who works as a coach for the Premier League giants, was called up late by Chelsea reserve team boss Dermot Drummy to replace the injured Jamal Blackman in goal.

Blackman is recovering from a twisted knee. And with Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnball away with fellow first-teamers on a squad get-together in Spain, and Chelsea unwilling to chuck a youth-teamer into the game, Russell got the call-up on Monday morning.

And the former Republic of Ireland under-21 international – affectionately known as Rusty at Park Lane – did not let anyone down. He made a stunning last-minute save to earn a point in a 3-3 draw against a Canaries side which included first-teamers Marc Tierney, Elliott Bennett and James Vaughan.

“It was a brilliant experience,” said Russell, 24.

“And it gave me a bit more of a tatse of what it is like to play at that level “The game was much quicker and the ball was on the floor a lot more, but I think I did OK so I was happy with my performance.”

Chelsea took a 23rd minute lead with a fine strike from Lucas Piazon – a Brazilian striker signed by the Stamford Bridge club for £6million.

Vaughan equalised within minutes of the restart with a powerful header, before goals from Richard Brindley and Jamar Loza sent the home side into what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

But Chelsea sub Islam Feruz pulled one back with a diving header in the 72nd minute, and equalised with a truly majestic strike six minutes later.

Russell’s match highlights included a save low to his left from Simon Lappin’s free kick early on in the second half, and a magnificent reflex stop in the last minute to deny Aaron Wilbraham a winner.