Full-time: Chelmsford City 2–0 Arsenal XI
Chelmsford City ended their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 2–0 victory over an Arsenal XI at the Dunmow Community Stadium.
The Clarets took an early lead against a youthful Gunners academy side when Taylor Clark struck in the fourth minute, finishing off Harry Barbrook’s cross with a tidy first-time effort.
From that point on, City limited their visitors’ opportunities while continuing to test Arsenal goalkeepers Jack Porter and Lucas Nygaard. Porter denied Josh Castiglione and Kai Corbett with routine saves in the first half, while Nygaard produced an impressive stop early in the second to thwart Corbett again.
Angelo Harrop’s men eventually doubled their lead through Jack Barham, who capitalised on a loose backpass from an Arsenal defender. The striker kept his composure by slotting his strike past the goalkeeper and into the back of the Gunners’ goal.
Ahead of the sold-out clash in CM1, Harrop named a much-changed side from the team that started against Witham Town earlier in the week. Chris Haigh, Kian Ronan, Dom Odusanya, Josh Hedges, and Barham all returned to the line up after being rested at the Simarco Stadium.
City came flying out of the traps and made their first shot on target count in the 4th minute. Clark arrived late into the box and met Barbrook’s cross from the left with a composed first-time finish into the corner.
The Clarets remained on top after the opener and quickly forced two saves from Porter, with Castiglione and Corbett both seeing efforts from the edge of the box gathered by the 17-year-old goalkeeper.
Arsenal, managed by former Chelmsford midfielder Max Porter, grew into the game as the half progressed and kept the ball well. However, they were unable to test Chris Haigh, sending the few efforts they did create wide of the target.
After the break, Arsenal introduced Nygaard in goal, and the Denmark U19 international was quickly called into action. Hedges picked out Corbett with a precise pass, and the winger cut inside before unleashing a fierce shot towards the top corner, which was impressively tipped over the crossbar.
The Gunners provided City with a scare moments later, as Demiane Augustien pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area. His shot was pushed onto the post by Haigh, with the rebound ricocheting off the keeper and out for a corner.
Following a tight period in the game, it was a defensive error that allowed the Clarets to extend their lead in the 71st minute. Theo Julienne’s under-hit backpass was intercepted by Barham, who calmly slotted home after finding himself one-on-one with Nygaard.
City pushed for a third late on and came close twice in quick succession. Corbett’s goal-bound free-kick was palmed behind for a corner, and from the resulting delivery, Joe Grimwood headed agonisingly wide.
The result capped off a strong finish to pre-season for the Clarets, who won two of their final three friendlies while recording a clean sheet in each of these games. Harrop will hope his side can carry that momentum into next weekend’s Enterprise National League South opener at home to Horsham. Tickets are on sale now – click here to purchase yours.
Chelmsford City XI: Haigh (GK); Ronan (Murphy 84’), Grimwood, Longe-Kinge (Tompkins 77’), Barbrook; Odusanya (C) (Ward 84’), Clark (Tamplin 62’); Hedges (Remy 62’), Castiglione (Kudiabor 56’), Corbett (Trialist A 84’); Barham.
Unused substitutes: Eastwood (GK), Lapslie
Yellow cards: Kudiabor 68’
Arsenal XI: Porter (GK) (Nygaard 46’); Ferdinand (Julienne 60’), Washington (Thompson 78’), Clarke, Sweet, Ibrahim (Hashi 71’), O’Neill (Trialist A 60’), Dudziak, John (Ismail 78’), Augustien, Sagoe-Junior (C).
Unused substitutes: Stachiow, Marisa, Oyetunde
Yellow cards: none
Match officials: Craig Barnett (Referee), Ryan Smith (First Assistant), Steven Marr (Second Assistant).
Attendance: 3,012
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