Full-time: Chelmsford City 3-1 Slough Town
Kane Crichlow’s brace earned Chelmsford City an important three points over Slough Town on Saturday afternoon.
Substitute Crichlow’s double-salvo of goals in the 66th and 68th minute of the match secured the Clarets a comeback win, after Robbie Simpson’s side had fallen behind in the first half.
Rebels forward Sam Evans put his side ahead against the run of play in the 31st minute. City produced a strong response to going behind and levelled the scoreline five minutes before half-time when captain Cameron James scored from point blank range.
Simpson’s decision to introduce Crichlow and Charlie Ruff from the bench in the 64th minute paid dividends immediately when the pair combined twice in quick succession to put their side two goals in front.
Clarets boss Simpson made four changes to the team which started his side’s last game, which took place against Billericay Town on Tuesday night. Woody Williamson returned and took Ted Collins’s spot between the sticks. Elsewhere, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Archie Tamplin and Bunmi Babajide took the places of Sam Oguntayo, Charlie Ruff and Glenn McConnell.
City started the match brighter than the Rebels, and had the first good chance of the match in the 24th minute. A wide free kick won by Tamplin on the edge of the Clarets’ penalty box was whipped into the corridor of uncertainty by Alfie Bendle. The Colchester United loanee’s delivery was met by Babajide, but the forward, making his home debut in a claret shirt, was unable to guide his header on target.
In the 32nd minute, Simpson’s side had another superb opportunity to take the lead. Bradley Williams was the provider of a dangerous delivery into the penalty box this time around, with the full back’s cross picking out Osman Foyo. Foyo’s first time effort lacked the power needed to beat Charlie Horlock, who saved the Ipswich Town loanee’s effort.
The Clarets were made to rue their missed opportunities two minutes later, when the visitors took the lead. Slavi Spasov produced an accurate cross from the byline, which was cut back into the six-yard box. Spasov’s delivery found Evans, who tapped the ball into the net from close-range.
City responded well to going behind and found an equaliser in the 41st minute. The Rebels failed to clear Tamplin’s high delivery into the box, which captain James then latched on to at the back post, before smashing his strike past Horlock from point blank distance.
The second half needed a boost and that came after 20 minutes. Simpson turned to his bench and introduced Crichlow and Ruff. The duo made an instant impact as Ruff slotted an inch perfect ball through to Crichlow, who fended off twp Slough defenders before firing past Horlock.
Less than two minutes later and Ruff and Crichlow were at the double. Another brilliant ball by Ruff found the Bermudian clean through, who only needed one touch to knock the ball past Horlock in the Slough net. Crichlow continued his red-hot form, and almost turned provider. A great run down the left allowed him to find Williams on the overlap, but his shot went just over the bar.
There was still time for Slough to give the Clarets a scare, as substitute David Ogbonna saw his effort come crashing back off the bar, in the latter stages. But the Clarets ultimately returned to winning ways with a brilliant all-round performance against Scott Davies’ side.
It’s a quick turnaround for City, as Boreham Wood are the next visitors to the EMJ Community Stadium, on Monday night.
Chelmsford City XI: Williamson (GK); Barnum-Bobb, James (C), Gale, Williams; Bendle, Tamplin (Ruff 64), Bland (McConnell 88); Foyo (Appiah 80), Babajide (Crichlow 64), Greenidge (Hyde 78).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Williams, Ruff, Barnum-Bobb, Foyo
Slough Town XI: Horlock (GK); Jackman (C), Beeden, Prosper, Abisogun (Ogbonna 61′), Spasov, Gilbert (Spicer 74′), Chambers-Parillon, Davies (Amartey 71′), Evans, Hay.
Unused substitutes: North (GK), Goddard.
Yellow cards: Gilbert, Abisogun, Spicer
Match Officials: Morgan Conn (Referee), Ashley Tyne (1st Assistant), Dario Matthewson (2nd Assistant), Paul Stratton (Fourth Official).
Words by Jake Dixon & Josh Lowe
Attendance: 857
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