Full-time: Chelmsford City 0-1 Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare continued their push for a play-off spot after earning a narrow victory over Chelmsford City at the EMJ Community Stadium.
Dylan Kadji’s first-half strike put the visitors ahead at the break, with the midfielder’s 30th minute goal proving to be the difference between the sides in a second half with few chances.
City’s best opportunities came in the first half. However, Seagulls goalkeeper Max Harris was on hand to deny both Ryan Blackman and Sam Oguntayo.
Manager Robbie Simpson was forced to make a late change to his team’s starting XI. Defender Joe Rye was unable to play after experiencing a problem during the warm-up and was replaced by Arthur Penney. Kalvin Kalala took Penney’s place on the substitutes’ bench.
Weston played with the wind behind them in the first half and enjoyed the better of the possession. However, the Clarets came closest to first opening the scoring when Blackman’s goal-bound free kick was tipped away from danger by Harris.
After a subdued opening 30 minutes, the visitors took the lead. The Clarets failed to clear their lines from a corner, and Kadji capitalised on the hosts’ indecision when he controlled the ball and volleyed it into the top corner.
Oguntayo nearly equalised just before half-time when he latched onto Kane Crichlow’s defence splitting pass. Harris made a smart stop to Oguntayo one-on-one, meaning the wing-back’s wait to score his first goal in a Clarets shirt continues.
Simpson, celebrating his 40th birthday, made full use of his substitutes in the second half. The Clarets made all five available changes and finished the match with three strikers on the pitch. Despite their best efforts, City were unable to create the opportunity which Jake Hyde, Jordan Greenidge or Saleem Akanbi needed to bring their side back on level terms.
The loss to Weston means City now face an uphill battle to keep their play-off hopes alive. The Clarets must win all their remaining games to have a chance of securing a National League South play-off spot, starting next weekend when Simpson’s side face Tonbridge Angels away.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Appiah, Penney, Barbrook (Akanbi 74’); Valentine, Tamplin (Ruff 84’), Blackman (Greenidge 70’), Bland (Kalala 90+1’), Oguntayo (Donaldson 89’); Crichlow, Hyde.
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Blackman 63’
Weston-super-Mare XI: Harris (GK); Bastin, Kadji, Dodd, Reid, Pearson (Avery 78’), Coulson (Jagger Cane 78’), Seberry, Lewis (C), Chamberlain (Thomas 86’), Dawes.
Unused substitutes: Jenkins, Waite
Yellow cards: Chamberlain 39’, Dawes 54’
Match Officials: Tolu Sangowawa (Referee), Shawn Barclay (Assistant Referee), Derrick Laing (Assistant Referee), Toby Carlisle (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 789
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