Full-time: Chesham United 2-2 Chelmsford City
Chesham United and Chelmsford City shared the spoils in an entertaining midweek clash at The Meadow.
City took the lead twice through Saleem Akanbi and Jake Hyde, but both times saw their one-goal advantage cancelled out when Lewis Rolfe and Matt Lench equalised late in either half.
The Clarets carved out the better chances throughout the second half but missed a host of inviting opportunities to extend their lead, which they later came to rue.
Robbie Simpson handed Saleem Akanbi his first start for Chelmsford City, while Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Jacob Bland returned to the starting XI after making substitute appearances against Hornchurch on Saturday. Centre back Joe Rye was also brought into the squad following his move to the club being confirmed ahead of kick-off.
Tuesday’s clash at The Meadow started slowly, with neither side creating any clear-cut chances until the opening goal of the game in the 37th minute.
It was City who went in front when Akanbi scored his first goal for the club. A well-weighted through ball from Kane Crichlow found Akanbi in between two Chesham defenders inside the penalty area. The forward made no mistake and slotted the ball past Chesham goalkeeper Dillon Addal to give City the lead.
However, Chesham responded just six minutes later to level the score. Following a foul by Harry Barbrook on Nathan Minhas, the hosts were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Lench whipped in a dangerous delivery into the box, which Rolfe rose highest to meet, sending the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-1 in the 43rd minute.
Chesham almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time when a cleared corner fell to Lafleur, but his volley was blocked off the line by Akanbi, ensuring the score remained 1-1 heading into the break.
Inside the opening 10 minutes of the second period, City were awarded their first penalty of the season. Jacob Bland, playing as a left wing-back after Sam Oguntayo’s substitution at half-time, was fouled just inside the penalty box by a Chesham defender. Referee Daniel Baines pointed to the spot, and Hyde stepped up, confidently powering the ball down the middle of the goal to net his fourth goal of the season.
City missed a host of chances during the final 30 minutes. Clarets captain Cameron James delivered a delightful ball across the six-yard box in the 62nd minute, but neither Hyde nor Bland could get the decisive touch to find the back of the net.
In the 72nd minute, Crichlow and Hyde combined well on the break, each having a shot blocked or saved, but neither could generate enough power to trouble Addal.
Ten minutes later, substitute Jordan Greenidge and Crichlow combined in the final third, but the latter’s shot sailed over the bar with the goal gaping.
City’s missed opportunities came back to haunt them in the 87th minute. The Clarets failed to deal with a long ball forward from the hosts, and goalkeeper Ted Collins was adjudged to have fouled Mitchell Weiss inside the penalty area after coming off his line. Lench stepped up for Chesham from 12-yards, and despite Collins diving the right way, sent his penalty confidently into the bottom corner, levelling the scoreline to 2-2.
In the closing stages, the Clarets were unable to take the lead for the third time, although they came close in added time when a dangerous corner from Ryan Blackman was nearly bundled in at the back post.
Chesham remain a point ahead of City in the National League South table after holding Simpson’s side to a draw. The Clarets return to action this weekend with an away clash against Eastbourne Borough.
Enfield Town XI: Addal (GK); Jones (Clayton 62′), Lafleur, Rolfe, Stevens, Foran (Cawley 76′), Gallimore (Lodge 76′), Lench, Esan, Oliyide (Grant 76′), Minhas (Weiss 76′).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Foran 11′
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); James (C), Edwards, Barbrook; Barnum-Bobb (Williams 79′), Penney, Bland, Oguntayo (Blackman 46′); Crichlow, Akanbi (Rye 62′), Hyde (Greenidge 79′).
Unused substitutes: Appiah.
Yellow cards: Barbrook 42′, Edwards 82′, Collins 87′
Match officials: Daniel Baines (Referee), Tolu Sangawawa (Assistant Referee), Oliver Kaya (Assistant Referee).
Attendance: 560
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