Full-time: Chelmsford City 1-2 Farnborough
Chelmsford City tasted defeat at home in the National League South for the first time this season after losing to league leaders Farnborough.
Saturday’s match was decided by a four-minute spell in the first half, during which all three of the game’s goals were scored in. Spencer Day’s men took the lead in the 10th minute when Millar Matthews-Lewis continued his goalscoring form and found the back of the net for the fourth game in a row.
Osman Foyo equalised moments later courtesy of a fine finish from inside the Farnborough penalty box, but the visitors restored their lead in the 16th minute when Olly Pendlebury dispatched a free kick from 25-yards out.
Farnborough goalkeeper Jack Turner saved second half efforts from Charlie Ruff and Jake Hyde to keep his side ahead, while City goalkeeper Woody Williamson came close to scoring in added time after making an unexpected outfield debut in claret.
Robbie Simpson made three changes to the side which lost to Barnet in the FA Cup last week. Having been recalled from his loan spell at the EMJ Community Stadium by parent club Colchester United, Oscar Thorn was unable to continue at right back and this paved way for club captain Cameron James to make his first start of the 2024-25 season. Following his red card at the Hive London last Saturday, Arthur Penney began his suspension which allowed Archie Tamplin to come into the team and play from the start for the first time since August. Kalvin Kalala took Ruaridh Donaldson’s place in the City eleven.
A quiet opening ten minutes to the match was proceeded by three goals in the space of six minutes. Forward Matthews-Lewis opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a finish from close-range after he was picked out inside the City penalty box by Richard Chin’s cross from the right flank.
The Clarets produced an instant response and equalised around a minute later. Farnborough were unable to clear their lines after Jordan Greenidge had a shot on target cleared off the line and Charlie Ruff was able to recycle possession. Ruff squared the ball to Foyo, who showed impressive close control before producing a clinical finish into the top corner of Jack Turner’s goal.
Boro responded to losing their lead by restoring it in the 16th minute, three minutes after Foyo’s sixth goal of the season. A foul conceded by Paul Appiah outside the penalty box presented Pendlebury with the chance to test Ted Collins with a free kick. Pendlebury’s effort found its way through the three-man City wall and beat Collins at his near post. After re-taking the lead Farnborough defended their one goal advantage doggedly for the remainder of the afternoon, although City created three second half opportunities which came close to restoring parity.
Ruff guided Sam Oguntayo’s 63rd minute cross towards goal, however Farnborough goalkeeper Turner got down well to his left to save this effort. Turner was called into action again moments later when substitute Hyde became the latest player to come close to equalising for the Clarets. Hyde got on the end of Sam Gale’s dangerous delivery into the box, but Turner was equal to another effort at his goal and produced a fine stop to deny the forward.
At the other end, Collins made a stop of his own in the 78th minute to deny Reggie Young. Chin stole the ball off a City defender in their own half and rolled it into the path of Young. Collins came off his line quickly as Young closed in on goal, and made an alert save to palm the winger’s effort away from danger.
Collins’ counterpart Williamson was introduced as a substitute in the closing stages of the game, which allowed the Chelmsford-born goalkeeper to make his City debut after his loan move to the club was confirmed last month. Kane Crichlow was unable to continue after suffering an injury late on and made way for Williamson, who was the last of the five Chelmsford City substitutes left on the bench.
Williamson nearly had a debut to remember when he came almightily close to scoring a dramatic added time equaliser. The Ipswich Town loanee rose highest at the back post and got on the end of fellow substitute Louis Dunne’s cross into the box, but Williamson’s header went the wrong side of the post and inches wide of goal.
Williamson’s opportunity marked the final significant action of a prolonged period of added time which took place after Crichlow’s injury. Jack Bloxham’s full-time whistle confirmed the club’s first defeat of the season at the EMJ Community Stadium, and signalled the beginning of the Clarets’ preparations for their next National League South clash, which will take place in around 48 hours’ time away at Hemel Hempstead.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); James © (Hockey 57’), Appiah, Gale, Oguntayo (Dunne 88’); Tamplin, Ruff; Foyo (Williams 81’), Crichlow (Williamson 90+6’), Kalala; Greenidge (Hyde 57’).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Kalala, James
Farnborough XI: Turner (GK), Casey ©, Robinson, Chin, Pruti, Haigh (Hollis 69′), Holmes, Pendlebury (Bradshaw 47’), Clark, Young, Matthews-Lewis.
Unused substitutes: Bateson, Prince.
Yellow cards: Haigh, Robinson, Chin, Bradshaw.
Match Officials: Jack Bloxham (Referee), Andrew Tregoning (1st Assistant), Jamie Jadvirsis (2nd Assistant), Thomas Whay (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 960
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