Full-time: Boreham Wood 1-0 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City were edged out by Boreham Wood in a close, hardly fought affair at Meadow Park on Tuesday night.
Both sides had chances to score in both halves – with Chelmsford City goalkeeper Ted Collins making several good stops to deny the hosts in the first half, while Nathan Ashmore kept out Charlie Ruff’s effort from close range.
In the second half, City came close to opening the scoring courtesy of Jordan Greenidge, but the Clarets were denied once again by Ashmore. Luck fell the hosts’ way in the 62nd minute when Tom Whelan’s shot from the edge of the penalty area took a deflection which helped the ball roll into the net.
Greenidge came close again in the 67th minute when he headed Sam Oguntayo’s free kick just wide of the post, and City continued to show determination in their hunt for an equaliser in the closing 20 minutes. Manager Robbie Simpson utilised his substitutes bench and even introduced centre-back Paul Appiah as a centre-forward, but the Clarets were unable to carve out a clear-cut chance to draw level from.
Ahead of kick-off, Simpson made three changes to the starting XI from the match against Torquay United. He brought Franke Edwards, Arthur Penney and Jordan Greenidge into the side.
During a goalless first half, the hosts had the better chances. Right wing-back Jayden Richardson struck a powerful shot against the woodwork in the 11th minute, while former Aveley man Jon Benton tested Collins five minutes later with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.
City still pushed forward at times, and tested Boreham Wood shot-stopper Ashmore in the 28th minute. Some sensational work from Kane Crichlow saw the Bermudian escape a tight corner and square the ball across goal to Charlie Ruff. The Clarets’ vice captain got a shot away on target, which Ashmore did just enough to keep out.
At the other end, a dangerous free kick taken by Whelan in the 31st minute picked out the head of National League South top scorer Kwesi Appiah. His effort on target was tipped behind for a corner by Collins.
In the second period, City came close in the 52nd minute when Greenidge was denied by Ashmore. The forward won a battle with Chris Bush in the middle of the park and then charged toward goal, with two Boreham Wood defenders giving chase. Greenidge unleashed a powerful effort after arriving in the hosts’ penalty area, but his shot was punched clear by Ashmore.
It was Boreham Wood who went in front when Whelan scored in the 62nd minute. The ball fell to the midfielder on the edge of the crowded penalty area, and his effort toward goal took a kind deflection, which left Collins stranded and allowed the ball to trickle into the back of the net.
The Clarets responded well to going behind and came within a whisker of equalising 12 minutes later. Sam Oguntayo whipped in a dangerous free-kick that found Greenidge at the back post, but the forward was unable to guide his effort on target.
Simpson utilised his substitutes bench in the final stages of the game, even throwing on centre back Paul Appiah to play in forward areas. However, the Clarets were unable to break down the Wood’s resilient backline and were consigned to a 1-0 defeat.
City return to action on Saturday when they host Worthing at the EMJ Community Stadium.
Boreham Wood XI: Ashmore (GK) (C); Ilesanmi (Sousa 62’), Bush, Abontohoma, Whelan, Sagaf, Benton (Marsh 87’), K Appiah, O’Connell, Richardson, Rush (Hare 90+2’).
Unused substitutes: Dixon, Abdulmalik
Yellow cards: Richardson 39’, Rush 90+2’
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Rye, Edwards (Bland 64’), Barbrook; Barnum-Bobb (Kalala 85’); Tamplin, Penney (Donaldson 78’), Oguntayo (Appiah 89’); Crichlow, Ruff (C) (Wilkinson 78’); Greenidge.
Unused substitutes: none
Yellow cards: Barbrook 62’, Bland 78’
Match officials: Harry Jones (Referee), Jake Woodman (Assistant Referee), Steven Rea (Assistant Referee), Stuart Smith (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 701 (102 away)
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