Full-time: Chelmsford City 2-1 St Albans City
Chelmsford City returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion, as Kane Crichlow netted a 96th minute winner to steal the points.
After a goalless first half it was the Clarets who opened the scoring as Saleem Akanbi scored his second Chelmsford City goal 10 minutes into the second half.
St Albans hit back as with 20 minutes left to play as Zane Banton found the roof of the net following a well-worked corner, but Crichlow would strike late om to win the game for Robbie Simpson’s side.
After a hard-fought point at Dorking on Saturday 3 changes were made to the starting lineup. Sam Oguntayo and Saleem Akanbi both came on off the bench on Saturday, but were in from the start. Meanwhile Paul Appiah came into the back line, with Frankie Edwards, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Jordan Greenidge being the ones to drop out. Ryan Blackman and Jake Hyde returned to the bench after a few weeks of absence.
It was a quiet opening 20 minutes at the EMJ Community Stadium, with neither side getting any clear-cut chances. At the halfway mark of the half Saleem Akanbi brought the ball down well and played a cutting through ball for Nico Valentine to run onto, but St Albans’ experienced shot stopper Michael Johnson rushed out and made a good save.
The visitor had their fair share of chances in the latter stages of the first half. Former Chelmsford City man Josh Castiglione almost opened the scoring, but Ted Collins sprung across his goal to make an excellent save. Castiglione pulled the strings minutes later too, setting up Giorgio Rasulo who saw his effort flash wide of the post.
With the sides level at the break Robbie Simpson turned to his bench and introduced Jordan Greenidge. Just over 10 minutes later, Greenidge was involved in the buildup as the Clarets took the lead.
Some good work at the back allowed the Clarets to counter, finding Nico Valentine on the right-hand side. The Ipswich loanee put a good ball across the box and Saleem Akanbi backheeled the ball past Michael Johnson to give City the lead.
After scoring on Saturday, Archie Tamplin was next to come close as Akanbi rolled the ball into his path but Tamplin’s effort was well held by St Albans’ keeper Michael Johnson. The visitors did find their way back into the game, as a well-worked corner routine saw Zane Banton fire an effort into the roof of the net, with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Heading into 6 minutes added time, either side looked like they could nick it. Jacob Bland looped a great ball out to Kane Crichlow who got a slice of luck as he tiptoed his was into the box, only to see his effort roll the wrong side of the post.
However Crichlow would get another chance, and he made no mistake this. Bland and Valentine linked up well down the right, with the latter putting another great ball across the box where Crichlow buried his chance to secure another late victory for the Clarets.
It was last gasp but City had the 3 points, and will look to build on that in another home game this Saturday. Weston-Super-Mare visit the EMJ Community Stadium, in the first of the Clarets’ final 8 games of the 24/25 season.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Appiah, Rye (Blackman 64’), Barbrook; Valentine, Tamplin, Penney (Hyde 90+5’), Oguntayo (Donaldson 79’); Crichlow, Ruff (C) (Greenidge 46’); Akanbi (Bland 73’).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Akanbi 39’, Ruff 45+3’
Goals: Akanbi 55’, Crichlow 90+6’
St Albans City XI: Johnson (GK) (C), Longe-King, Banton, Bendle, Castiglione (Davis 86’), Woodman (Jeffers 82’), Dausch (Charles 82’), Rasulo (Payne 90+2’), Sweet, Mason, Claridge.
Unused substitutes: Moore.
Yellow cards: Bendle 34’, Rasulo 45+3’
Goal: Banton 71’
Match officials: Morgan Conn (Referee), George Barker (Assistant Referee), Alfred Finch-Critchley (Assistant Referee), Steven Marr (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 507
Words by Josh Lowe
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