Full-time: Aveley 1-0 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Aveley on Good Friday, after a second half strike from Luke Holness proved decisive in a game where the Clarets created several chances but failed to find a breakthrough.
Freddie Hockey, Kane Crichlow, Nico Valentine, Ryan Blackman and Charlie Ruff all had opportunities throughout the afternoon, but Millers goalkeeper James Holden – named as Aveley’s Man of the Match – produced a series of fine saves to preserve his clean sheet.
Manager Robbie Simpson made four changes from City’s previous outing ahead of the Essex derby at Parkside. He handed a first senior start since November to forward Freddie Hockey, while Ryan Blackman, Arthur Penney and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb also came into the starting XI. The Clarets lined up in a three-at-the-back formation and showed plenty of early attacking intent.
Hockey looked lively in the early stages alongside right winger Nico Valentine and both players tested Aveley keeper Holden in the opening 10 minutes. Left wing-back Sam Oguntayo burst forward in the 12th minute and produced a powerful strike, which forced Holden into a smart stop to keep the scores level.
Despite City’s strong start, Aveley carved out a good opportunity of their own in the 28th minute, when Manny Ogunrinde headed over at the back post from Desse Kasinga-Maida’s inviting cross.
City came close again before half-time when Barnum-Bobb and Valentine linked up well down the right. The latter had a low shot saved once more by Holden. The Aveley stopper was called into action again just before the break – this time getting down quickly to deny Hockey after he got on the end of Barnum-Bobb’s poked through ball.
The Clarets began the second half with more attacking intent and created an early opportunity when the front three of Hockey, Valentine and Crichlow combined, but Holden stood firm once again to deny Crichlow.
At the other end, Aveley missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 52nd minute, when Kasinga-Maida broke through and squared the ball across goal, only for no teammate to get on the end of it. City responded well to the let-off and came close around a minute later when Blackman connected with Ruaridh Donaldson’s cross. However, the midfielder was unable to guide his header on target.
The deadlock was broken in the 63rd minute by the hosts. A quick exchange on the halfway line allowed Holness to find an opening in the City backline. The Millers man then raced through on goal and rifled a powerful finish into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.
Chelmsford City pushed for an equaliser and did have several more chances to score. Crichlow had a low shot saved by Holden, before Blackman struck the crossbar directly from a corner later on. Substitutes Jacob Bland and Charlie Ruff combined inside the Aveley penalty area in the 75th minute, but Ruff’s header was again well saved by the in-form Holden.
Paul Appiah and Archie Tamplin made important defensive interventions late on to prevent Aveley from doubling their lead, but the single goal proved enough for the hosts, who held firm to deny the Clarets a late route back into the match.
The defeat sees City drop to 13th in the National League South table, with only two games remaining in the 2024–25 campaign.
Aveley XI: Holden (GK); Nwonta, Leathers, Kabongolo, Kasinga-Maida (Hughes 74’), Semakula, Holness (Uche 82’), Ogunrinde (Brown 69’), Leahy, McDowell, Beadle (Kwatchey 40’).
Unused substitutes: Ring.
Yellow cards: Nkwonta 55’, McDowell 71’
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Penney (Akanbi 88’), Appiah, Donaldson; Barnum-Bobb, Tamplin, Blackman (C) (Bland 75’), Oguntayo (Ruff 75’); Valentine, Crichlow; Hockey.
Unused substitutes: Hayes, Mupomba.
Yellow cards: Donaldson 27’, Appiah 80’
Match officials: Aryton Hursey (Referee), Simon Cutler (Assistant Referee), Isabel Chapman (Assistant Referee), Richard Carter (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 454
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