The Clarets suffered a Non-League Day defeat as a Ryan Seager brace sealed a 2-0 victory for Hungerford Town.
In a good start for City, Tom Blackwell had a good early chance following a knock-down from Charlie Sheringham, but he couldn’t get the touch to take the ball past Luke Cairney.
The next chance saw Dara Dada drive into the box before pulling back for Sheringham to see a powerful effort well saved by Cairney.
Dada and Danny Imray had further efforts before City were forced into a change right at the end of the half as Mickey Spillane went down awkwardly and had to be replaced by Zak Bradshaw.
The second half began in the opposite fashion to the first 45, with Hungerford playing more on the front foot.
Ten minutes into the half the visitors took the lead, as Ryan Seager buried an effort from distance into the far bottom corner beyond debutant Kai McKenzie-Lyle.
Despite City coming more into the half from then and looking to find an equaliser, the Crusaders bagged their second midway through the half.
A long throw-in was sent in and Seager was there to apply a simple finish to add his and his side’s second of the game.
With 10 minutes to go, City almost clawed a goal back, as substitute Matt Rush fired a threatening shot at goal from distance which was beaten away well by Cairney.
That proved to be the final real chance of the game and the fixture ended in defeat for Robbie Simpson’s side.
Major moment…
In the defeat at the EMG Inspire Stadium, Charlie Sheringham’s dangerous strike early in the first half could have changed the game’s course.
With Dara Dada having driven forward well, his cutback was fired at goal by the target man and it appeared that the Clarets would take the lead.
Ultimately though, Luke Cairney was equal to the effort and he produced a fine save to maintain parity.
Next up…
The Clarets are back in action next Saturday as we travel to Vauxhall Road in Hertfordshire.
Our Vanarama National League South opponents on the day are Mark Jones’ Hemel Hempstead Town.
Kick-off on Saturday 2nd April will be at 3pm.
Chelmsford City: McKenzie-Lyle; Norton, Spillane (Bradshaw 44’), Oluwo, James; Frimpong (Moore 65’); Isaac, Imray (Rush 65’); Dada; Sheringham, Blackwell.
Unused substitutes: Dunne, Deslandes.
Hungerford Town: Cairney; Ram, Berry-Hargreaves, Bailey; Angell, Rusby, Tyler; Willmoth (Smith 69’), Burley (McGrory 90+1’); Seager, Wanjau-Smith (Ofori-Acheampong 85’).
Unused substitutes: Emmerson, Herbert.
Attendance: 1392
by