Full time: Chippenham Town 1-1 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City secured their highest ever National League South finish on Saturday despite sharing the points with Chippenham Town on the final day of the regular season.
George Alexander’s clinical first half strike put the Clarets ahead in Wiltshire, and Robbie Simpson’s side had further chances to increase their lead until the Bluebirds drew level.
Craig Fasanmade equalised for the hosts when he converted an 83rd minute penalty, but City held their nerve for the remainder of proceedings at The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium and earned a pivotal point, which ensured the club ended the 2023-24 season sitting 2nd in the league standings.
As well as securing a 2nd place finish and a home playoff semi-final against Braintree Town or Bath City next Saturday, Robbie Simpson’s side have also ended the campaign with a tally of 84 points, further breaking the club’s record National League South points total for a single season.
Goalkeeper Dylan Berry made his Chelmsford City debut, after arriving at Melbourne Community Stadium on loan from Norwich City earlier this week. Finley Barbrook featured in Claret for the first time since the Good Friday win against Dartford as he replaced Dave Winfield in the starting eleven, in what was one of two changes made by Simpson to the team which beat Tonbridge Angels last weekend. George Alexander returned to the side, coming straight back in from the beginning as Freddie Hockey dropped to the substitutes bench.
City started the game stronger than their mid-table opponents, with Callum Watts setting the tone as he flashed a chance just wide of goal in the opening seconds of proceedings.
The Clarets scored the goal that their dominant start to the game deserved when George Alexander broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Gary Horgan’s side failed to play through City’s high press when Jermaine Francis won the ball back in a promising position, and he found Charlie Ruff who quickly squared the ball to Alexander.
Alexander kept his composure in front of goal when he dummied an incoming Chippenham defender, before applying a clinical finish past Will Henry to score his 8th league goal as a City player.
Ruff came close to doubling his side’s advantage in the 36th minute when he fired an effort at Bluebirds shot-stopper Henry from a tight angle, after being picked out by Samir Carruthers from a free-kick. Chippenham Player of the Season Henry was on hand to make an impressive save though to keep his side in the game.
The hosts nearly equalised before half time when Tom Owen-Evans connected with Tyreke Johnson’s cross, but the midfielder’s effort struck the post and bounced clear of danger.
In the second half, City continued to probe for a second goal despite playing up the slope on the pitch at The Thornberry Surfacing Stadium. Alexander and Ruff both flashed efforts wide of goal, while substitute Freddie Hockey was denied by the offside flag in the 78th minute after putting the ball beyond Will Henry.
Moments before Hockey’s disallowed goal, debutant goalkeeper Dylan Berry made an impressive one-against-one stop to deny forward Craig Fasanmade after he got behind the Clarets’ backline.
Berry was involved again in the 81st minute when a mix-up in communication at the back between him and Luke Jenkins resulted in the Clarets conceding a penalty. Berry ventured off of his goal-line but was unable to guide the ball out of play, and referee Craig Scriven judged the Norwich loanee to have tripped Bluebirds man Owen-Evans as he ran back towards goal.
Fasanmade stepped forward from 12-yards and got the beating of Berry this time around, sending him the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.
Despite losing their lead late on in the afternoon, results elsewhere meant the Clarets held on to second spot in the National League South, pipping Worthing to the runners-up spot on goal difference.
Simpson’s side return to action at home next Saturday, with a mouthwatering clash against Braintree Town or Bath City in the National League South playoff semi-final.
Chippenham Town XI: Henry (GK) ©; Tuodolo (Ellison 76’), Fasanmade, Amadi-Holloway, Johnson, Owen-Evans, Nicholls (Spokes 67’), Bradbury, Williams, Hewlett, King (Mehew 60’).
Unused substitutes: Avenell (GK).
Yellow cards: Tuodolo.
Chelmsford City XI: Berry (GK); Barnum-Bobb ©, Jenkins, Barbrook, Brookes; Ochieng, Watts (Wordsworth 88’); Francis, Ruff, Carruthers (Alfa 41’); Alexander (Hockey 73’).
Unused substitutes: James, Jones.
Yellow cards: Barbrook, Berry.
Match Officials: Craig Scriven (Referee), Ryan Dix (Assistant Referee), Harry Price (Assistant Referee).
Attendance: 902
Report by Jake Dixon
Attendee panel closed
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