Full-time: Chelmsford City 0-0 Truro City
A determined 10-man Chelmsford City side earned a hard-fought goalless draw against title-chasing Truro City in the final National League South fixture of March for both teams.
The opening 45 minutes was a closely contested affair, with the best opportunity of the half falling City’s way just before the break. Ryan Blackman’s corner was met by Paul Appiah at the back post, but the centre back’s effort struck the crossbar, leaving the score level at half-time.
The turning point in the second half came in the 49th minute when Chelmsford City defender Arthur Penney was shown a straight red card after being judged to have brought down Truro man Jaze Kabia and denied him a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Despite the Tinners’ numerical disadvantage, City held firm, meaning John Askey’s side were forced to settle for a point after failing to convert the chances they created in the second period.
Chelmsford City manager Robbie Simpson, who was serving a touchline ban, made three changes to the starting XI that faced Tonbridge Angels last week. Ruaridh Donaldson made his first league start since January and was joined by Paul Appiah in the back three. Kane Crichlow returned to the team after representing Bermuda in the latest international break.
Midfielder Jacob Bland, who later played as a right-back, had a promising early chance in the third minute when he was found in space inside the Truro penalty box. However, a combination of Tinners goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe and his defenders were able to clear the danger.
The best opportunity of the first half came in added time when Blackman’s corner was met by Appiah at the back post. Appiah’s header, however, crashed off the crossbar and was cleared to safety by Truro.
Chelmsford City goalkeeper Ted Collins was called into action early in the second half and made two crucial saves. He first denied Zack Bell, whose dangerous overlapping run set him up for a shot. Collins then saved an effort from Yassine En-Neyah moments later.
The key moment of the second period came in the 49th minute when Penney was shown a straight red card. Tinners attacker Kabia got behind the City defence, and the chasing Penney was dismissed after being judged to have brought Kabia down while denying him a clear goalscoring opportunity. Truro expectedly ramped up the pressure after gaining a numerical advantage but were unable to convert a number of promising chances.
Kabia came close to scoring in the 73rd minute when he met Luke Jephcott’s delivery to the back post. However, Kabia’s header went inches wide of the goal. A few minutes later, captain Conor Riley-Lowe delivered a corner that Chelmsford City failed to clear, which allowed Will Dean to have a close-range shot. However, Clarets captain for the afternoon Blackman was on hand to make a crucial goal-line clearance.
Early in added time, Truro City’s second half substitute Dom John-Fisher sent a cross into the Chelmsford City box that Collins parried into the path of fellow substitute Tyler Love-Holmes. However, Love-Holmes’ shot landed in the grateful arms of Collins.
There were two notable changes from the bench for City in the second half – academy player Kennedy Mupomba made his National League South debut, while Freddie Hockey returned to action for the first time since December after a long injury layoff.
As the match entered the final stages of the six minutes of added time, Truro came close again when Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain got on the end of a set-piece delivered to the near post. Once again, Collins was there to make a vital save, meaning the goalkeeper was able to preserve his well-deserved clean sheet.
Saturday’s stalemate earned Chelmsford City their 53rd point of the season, leaving Robbie Simpson’s side in 13th place in the league standings. The Clarets sit level on points with Chippenham Town, who are next weekend’s opponents.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Appiah, Penney, Donaldson; Valentine, Blackman (C), Bland, Tamplin (Mupomba 80’), Oguntayo; Crichlow (Hockey 80’), Ruff (Akanbi 71’).
Unused substitutes: Ward, Legg.
Yellow cards: Appiah 45+1’, Oguntayo 83’, Collins 90’
Red card: Penney 49’
Truro City XI: Lavercombe (GK); Bell (Johnson-Fisher 77′), Riley-Lowe (C), En-Neyah (Love-Holmes 86’), Dean, Harvey, Oxlade-Chamberlein, Jephcott, Ronney, Kabia, Law.
Unused substitutes: Palfary, Neal, Sanders
Yellow cards: Jephcott 45+4’,
Match Officials: Matthew Norton (Referee), Simon Parberry (Assistant Referee), Charlie Roberts (Assistant Referee), Thomas Cartwright (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 776
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