FULL TIME: AFC SUDBURY 3-2 CHELMSFORD CITY
The Clarets headed over to the MEL group stadium to take on the Yellows in both teams’ first game of pre-season, looking to give players the chance to impress and to get match sharp for the upcoming season.
The Chelmsford squad consisted of many trialists who were likely looking to showcase their abilities to Robbie Simpson and his staff. Ted Collins started in goal, with Sam Oguntayo and other trialists making up the defence, with a midfield being made up of Ryan Blackman, Kalvin Kalala and more trialists aiming to have an impact, ahead of them familiar face and young star Freddie Hockey led the line for the game.
Kick off:
It was the hosts who started the brightest as Sudbury’s Jake turner was invited into too much space, sending an effort at goal from outside the box which gave Sudbury the early advantage. Just a minute later, another fierce strike was sent at Ted Collins who made a good stop, but the rebound fell to Joe Neal who turned it in from close range, doubling Sudbury’s lead just 7 minutes into the match.
Chelmsford looked to reply with a positive run from Trialist B leading to a free kick for the Clarets. It was taken short but ultimately nothing came from it.
Pressure continued to mount on Sudbury as Kalala’s great pass into the feet of the sharp looking trialist B led to a shot that got blocked behind for a Chelmsford corner. Ryan Blackman was the man to deliver but Sudbury’s keeper stood tall and claimed well.
Less than 15 minutes in Kalala was released down the line by some fantastic work by Oguntayo. Kalala looked to have been fouled but the decision was waved away by the referee, much to the dismay of the Clarets’ bench.
In the 25th minute a controversial penalty was giving to Sudbury after Trialist E supposedly fouled his man which led to former claret Simeon Jackson stepping up. Jackson fired a fierce effort at goal, but saw it come crashing back off the bar and behind for a goal kick.
The Clarets found their breakthrough in the 28th minute when Kalala and Oguntayo combined down the left resulting in a dangerous cross which was turned goalwards by Trialist B. That was turned away well by Bradbrook in the Sudbury net but the ball fell to Trialist D who turned in the rebound.
Chelmsford got a free kick thanks to the good work of Trialist F, which was put into the path of Kalala who beat 2 men and crossed onto the head of Hockey forcing a good save for the Sudbury goalkeeper.
However on the lead up to halftime, Sudbury were awarded another penalty as Peters was caught by Collins in goal. Sudbury learnt from their mistake as Joe Neal stepped up this time. His effort was initially saved by Ted Collins but the ball span out of the grasp of the Chelmsford keeper, trickling over the line.
Half Time AFC Sudbury 3-1 Chelmsford City Fc
9 changes were made at the break for Chelmsford with Donaldson, Watts, Dunne, Ruff, Payne as well as Trialist H, I, J and L with Trialist E and goalkeeper Ted Collins being the only 2 remaining from the first half as they looked too bounce back from the 2 goal deficit.
However, in the 54th minute half time substitute Evan Payne was forced off with an injury, after only being on for 9 minutes meaning the Clarets had to play the rest of the game with 10 men.
Despite the man advantage Sudbury continued to be on the back foot with Louie Dunne firing a shot over the bar after a great challenge from trialist K. Following this Trialist H worked well down the left with a great bit of skill to beat his man and then unleashed a shot which cannons off the post with the rebound being turned over by Louie Dunne.
Chelmsford continued their fightback with a Louie Dunne corner causing problems leading to Callum Watts smashing an effort back in which deflected behind for another corner. Another Louie Dunne corner pays off this time with Ruaridh Donaldson guiding a header into the back of the net reducing the deficit to 1.
A late and final change came as Ted Collins made way for Trialist G who ten minutes later is forced into a great stop from an incredible strike out of nothing for Sudbury, trialist G also doing well to prevent the rebound.
The Clarets battled well for the reaming few minutes, before the full time whistle came with both sides getting a good run out for their first pre-season duel.
Full time: AFC Sudbury 3-2 Chelmsford City FC
Words by Harvey Horsley
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