BILLERICAY TOWN 1-2 CHELMSFORD CITY | MATCH REPORT

Full time: Billericay Town 1-2 Chelmsford City

Second half goals from Trialist E and Freddie Hockey helped Chelmsford City to a 2-1 victory at New Lodge on Tuesday evening, earning Robbie Simpson’s men their second victory from the three pre-season friendlies which they have competed in so far.

Defender Tommy Davis put the Blues into an early lead when he converted a Billericay corner in the 3^rd minute, but City utilised a high press well throughout the evening, which forced the hosts into conceding chances when they looked to play out from the back. Eventually, the Clarets’ hard work off-the-ball paid off in the 76^th minute, when Trialist E won possession from a Ricay defender high up the pitch, allowing him to apply a clinical finish from close-range.

Callum Watts and Freddie Hockey then combined in the 83^rd minute to turn the game on its head, with the latter of the two latching on to Watts’ pass over the top of the Billericay backline. After going through one-against-one with the Billericay goalkeeper, Hockey produced a smart finish to put City in the lead and score his second goal of pre-season.

Simpson ramped up his side’s preparations for next month’s National League South curtain-raiser against Slough Town; the manager handed 60-minute cameos to several players during yesterday’s game for the first time in pre-season. A combination of recognised first team players featured throughout the evening alongside a handful of trialists, who Simpson and his management team are continuing to cast their eyes over.

A City eleven of eight first team players and three trialists completed the first half at New Lodge; their evening got off to a frustrating start when Billericay took the lead in the 3^rd minute of the game. Jack Paxman’s delivery from a corner was converted by the head of Tommy Davis at the backpost, with goalkeeper Ted Collins unable to do anything to keep the defender’s header at bay.

The Clarets attempted to draw level throughout the first half, largely earning opportunities through pressing high up the pitch in forward areas. In the 20^th minute, Billericay assister Jack Paxman got caught dwelling on the ball on the edge of his side’s 18-yard box by Charlie Ruff. Captain for-the-night Ruff quickly squared the ball to Trialist A, whose curling effort from the edge of the box ended up going a few inches over the crossbar. Trialist A’s frustrating night in front of goal continued minutes later, when he was unable to get a decisive touch on Ruaridh Donaldson’s dangerous cross which flashed across the Billericay goalmouth.

Billericay fell victim to City’s high press again in the 34^th minute, when Ruff intercepted a loose touch taken by Tyrell Miller-Rodney on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area. Ruff raced through towards goal but was pulled down by former Dartford man Miller-Rodney, who surely would have been shown a red card for a last-man foul had Tuesday’s game been a competitive fixture. Ruff was unable to convert the resulting free-kick.

In the second period at New Lodge, chances were few and far between for both sides, and both managers made substitutions throughout the half. Eventually though, City’s persistence with their high press finally paid off in the 76^th minute, when Trialist E intercepted a misplaced short pass played by the Billericay goalkeeper. Trialist E then kept his composure by taking a number of touches to set himself up nicely to score, before rolling the ball into the bottom corner of the Billericay net to draw the Clarets level.

City then went route one in the 83^rd minute when Watts and Hockey combined to put Simpson’s side ahead. Watts’ long ball over the top of the Billericay backline found the run of Hockey, who kept his composure in front of goal by placing the ball in-between the onrushing Billericay goalkeeper’s legs and into the back of the net.

Tuesday’s win at New Lodge means City have recorded two wins from the three friendlies which they have played in since the beginning of pre-season earlier this month. The Clarets’ pre-season schedule reaches its mid-way point at the weekend with a trip to Hertfordshire to face Royston Town on Saturday.

Chelmsford City XI: Collins (Trialist K 76’), Oguntayo (Hockey 61’), Okonkwo (Watts 46’), Tamplin (Trialist D 46’), Blackman (Dunne 61’), Donaldson (Trialist H 61’), Ruff (Trialist I 61’), Kalala (Trialist J 61’), Trialist A (Trialist E 46’), Trialist B (Trialist F 46’), Trialist C (Trialist G 46’).