Full-time: Chelmsford City 1-1 Chesham United
Chelmsford City climbed into the top half of the National League South table on Saturday after sharing the spoils with Chesham United in an end-to-end 1-1 draw at the EMJ Community Stadium.
The Clarets took the lead in the 17th minute when Kane Crichlow rounded off a clinical City counterattack with a smart finish. The visitors were gifted the chance to equalise going into half-time after being awarded a penalty, however Ted Collins produced an impressive stop to deny Matt Lench from the spot.
Robbie Simpson’s side were unable to prevent the Generals from levelling the scoreline in the second half though – Samson Esan’s shot from around 18-yards out got the beating of Collins at his near post and sparked an open final 30 minutes.
Both sides came close to netting their second goal of the game in the closing stages of the game. Generals goalkeeper Dillon Addai made several impressive saves to deny the Clarets, while Chesham thought they had won the game late on when forward Zak Joseph bundled home Jack Cawley’s 90th minute long throw-in. Joseph’s effort was disallowed by referee Nicholas Dunn, who judged there to have been a foul in the build-up to the goal.
Clarets boss Simpson stuck with seven of the players who started from the beginning on Monday night against Maidstone United last time out. Jacob Bland, Arthur Penney, Finley Wilkinson and Crichlow were all brought into the starting XI. Ipswich Town loanee Nico Valentine was included in a City squad for the first time since completing his loan move to the club.
The match began at a fast pace, with both sides coming close to scoring during an open first 10 minutes. Chesham had the first real opportunity after just four minutes when Mitchell Weiss found himself with a free header inside the box, but he could only direct the ball wide of the target.
City came close to taking an early lead in a bizarre fashion shortly after. A mis-hit backpass almost caught out Chesham goalkeeper Addai, but the shot-stopper did just enough to divert the ball behind for a corner.
Chesham then thought they had scored in the 10th minute when Karl Oliyide found the back of the net. The midfielder’s effort was swiftly ruled out by referee Dunn, who awarded City a free kick for a foul on Collins by Oliyide, who was booked for the high challenge which helped him to find the net.
The game’s first goal came in the 17th minute courtesy of a clinical counter-attack by the hosts. Greenidge and Crichlow combined well, with Greenidge playing an accurate ball behind the Generals’ defence which presented Crichlow a sight of goal. The Bermuda international made no mistake, slotting his effort into the bottom corner to put City 1-0 up.
Chesham were handed a golden chance to equalise just before half-time. Man with the whistle Dunn awarded the visitors a penalty after he judged that Paul Appiah fouled Esan inside the box. Matt Lench, who scored from the spot last month against the Clarets, stepped up, but Ted Collins was equal to the 32-year-old’s spot kick. The City goalkeeper dived superbly to tip Lench’s effort onto the crossbar. The rebound fell to Esan, but his header also crashed against the bar, and Chelmsford were able to clear.
The second half began with Chesham on the front foot, and they found an equaliser in the 61st minute. A long ball forward from the visitors was flicked on into the path of Esan, who cut inside and found the near post with a precise shot to make the scoreline 1-1.
The final 30 minutes were full of chances for both sides, as the game opened up. City had several opportunities to retake the lead, with Crichlow and Greenidge linking up again in the 65th minute, but Greenidge’s shot was well saved by Addai. Just two minutes later, Ryan Blackman’s free-kick dropped to Joe Rye at the back post, but his volley was tipped behind by Addai.
Valentine was introduced in the 66th minute and came close to scoring six minutes into his debut, after a brilliant through ball from Charlie Ruff sent him through on goal. Addai was quick to react and made a fine save to deny the young attacking midfielder. Moments later, Crichlow was then denied a brace by Addai, who made another save to keep City out.
The drama wasn’t over, however, as Chesham thought they had scored a late winner in the 90th minute. Generals substitute Cawley’s long throw-in was bundled into the net by substitute Joseph at the back post, but the referee ruled there had been a foul in the crowded penalty area and disallowed the goal.
Chesham’s second draw against Chelmsford City in less than two weeks ensured that the Buckinghamshire-based side travelled home still one point ahead of City in the National League South standings. Simpson’s side return to action on Tuesday when they face Bath City away from home.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Rye, Appiah (Edwards 84′), Barbrook; Barnum-Bobb (Valentine 66′), Penney (Ruff 66′), Blackman (C), Bland (Tamplin 81′); Crichlow, Wilkinson (Oguntayo 90+2)’, Greenidge.
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Barnum-Bobb 37′, Appiah 70′, Blackman 90+3′
Chesham United XI: Addai (GK); Rolfe (Clayton 60′), Lafleur, Stevens, Weiss (Gallimore 78′), Oliyide, Adebiyi, Lodge, Esan, Lench (Joseph 78′), Foran (Cawley 87’).
Unused substitutes: Grant.
Yellow cards: Oliyide 10′, Grant 35′, Lafleur 90+4′.
Match officials: Nicholas Dunn (Referee), Nick Blogg (Assitant Referee), James Hall (Assistant Referee), Alfred Finch-Critchley (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 873
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