A dramatic finish at the EMJ Community Stadium saw Paul Appiah’s 94th minute goal the difference, as the Clarets returned to winning ways.
A tightly-contested affair was kicked off by Osman Foyo’s 7th league goal of the season, as the Ipswich loanee found the bottom corner after a marauding run from Archie Tamplin sent him up. Brian Dutton’s men responded just after the halfway point in the first half as Jordan Thomas’ effort was deflected past Woody Williamson and into the back of the net.
Not much would separate the 2 sides in Essex, and it took a 94th minute winner to secure the 3 points. Alfie Bendle delivered a deep free kick, which ensued chaos as a stereotypical goalmouth scramble brought the winner. Paul Appiah raced away and was confirmed as the goalscorer, netting his first Chelmsford City goal.
Robbie Simpson opted to revert to the system that the Clarets ended with at Hemel Hempstead, seeing Cameron James return to the starting eleven, taking the captain’s armband. Jake Hyde came in up top, with Jordan Greenidge being named on the bench, where he was joined by 2 new signings. Albert Eames was announced a Chelmsford player Friday night, as the full back joined on loan from Watford. Another new loanee, Alfie Bendle, was announced and prior to the game, joining on loan from Colchester United.
It was a punchy start to the game, as Woody Williamson was forced into an early save following a deflected effort. However, the deadlock was broken shortly after. Archie Tamplin picked the ball up on the right hand side and beat 2 Salisbury players. Level with the box, he picked out Osman Foyo, who span and fired his effort into the bottom right corner.
However, Salisbury replied a little over 15 minutes later. It had seemed that the Clarets had forced the Whites back out the box, but Jordan Thomas’ effort found its way in, via a deflection. His effort took a nick off a Clarets’ defender, wrong footing Woody Williamson and equalising for the visitors.
Woody Williamson was kept busy towards the end of the half, making 2 saves from Salisbury’s talisman Josh Hedges. Firstly, Hedges tried his luck after wriggling his way through the Clarets’ midfield, with Williamson making a good save. The other was from much closer range, with Hedges being offside in the end, but Woody still making another good stop.
The sides were level at the break, with no changes being made during the half time interval. Archie Tamplin continued his good performance into the second half as he made a darting run from his own half, into the Salisbury box before his cross was hooked away.
A mighty tackle denied Salisbury a great chance to get a second. Sam Gale had to get it right, and did just that as he performed an inch perfect sliding tackle. And after 1 loanee shone, it was anothers turn as Osman Foyo drove the Clarets forward. His blistering run enable him to get a shot off, but unfortunately it was over the bar.
The Clarets would continue to be persistent, and Foyo again came close. Bradley Williams did well on the right hand side, winning the ball and finding Foyo. Much like his goal, it was a spin and a shot, but his effort was wide of the mark. Salisbury looked to be riding the storm, and had a chance of their own. Jordan Ragguette found himself free on the edge of the box, fizzing an effort it but it was forever rising and over the bar.
As the time ticked on, added time came around and seemingly 1 last chance for the Clarets. Albert Eames drove down the left and a clumsy tackle from Jordan Thomas won the Clarets a free kick. Alfie Bendle delivered and multiple Chelmsford City players tried their luck, but it was Paul Appiah who got the all important touch, as he won the match with his first Chelmsford City goal!
Chelmsford City XI: Williamson (GK); Williams, Appiah, James (C), Gale, Oguntayo (Eames 86′); Foyo (Hockey 77′), Ruff (Bland 77′), Tamplin, Kalala (Bendle 61′); Hyde (Greenidge 82′)
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Tamplin 20′, Oguntayo 38′, Bendle 61′
Salisbury XI: Hillson (GK), Ragguette, Leggett, Wilkinson (C) (Jombati 64′), Sommerton, Perez, Coppin (Fasanmade 77′), Hedges, Carroll, Silva (Dore 73′), Thomas
Unused substitutes: Christie (GK), Lewis
Yellow cards: Carroll 33′, Wilkinson 37′, Jombati 67′
Match Officials: George Laflin (Referee), Joe Burgess (1st Assistant), Abdul Olol (2nd Assistant), Steven Marr (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 857
Words by Josh Lowe