Words by: Oli Headington
A late Deon Moore strike was enough to give City a vital three points at the EMG Inspire Stadium against Essex rivals Billericay Town.
The game began in typical derby fashion, with both sides aiming to attack from the offset. City seemed to just have the edge within the opening 15 minutes, with Charlie Sheringham managing to force two good chances.
Sheringham continued to show his danger five minutes later, as he got on to the end of an Eduino Vaz cross at the back post, however, failed to challenge Zaki Oualah in the Billericay goal.
City’s early dominance flourished brilliantly as Matt Rush collected the ball midway through the Billericay half and danced his way into an excellent position before hitting the top right corner.
The visitors then earned a corner which, after an action-packed break in play as the referee sorted an altercation, was put in by the substitute Toby Stevenson to equalise.
The game continued to display high tempers into the last five minutes of the half, with Billericay starting to put their stamp on affairs after a quiet start.
The game quietened down through the seven additional minutes, and both sides re-entered the tunnel with score level.
City were fastest out the blocks following the interval, with Tom Blackwell doing well to keep the ball in play while charging down the left, his cross narrowly missed those arriving in the penalty area.
The Clarets continued their pressure throughout the opening minutes, with Sheringham’s aerial presence again being viewed as the focal point the City our attack.
Blackwell again managed to get himself into a dangerous position down the left flank, again with a fast-paced ball across the box that was well saved by Oualah.
The game continued to be an end-to-end affair with our visitors forging some good opportunities, most noticeably with Josh Wright down the right side, however, some great strength from Adebola Oluwo dealt with this effort.
Proceedings in the second half were not as fiery as the first period, however, both teams continued to push, Femi Akinwande tried his luck from distance but the shot was well wide.
As we entered the final five minutes of regulation time, a training ground routine involving Vaz and Blackwell, who again managed to cross, and this time the ball found Deon Moore who smashed home for 2-1.
City retained possession throughout the final minutes, and the referee blew for full-time, much to the excitement of the Clarets fans.
Major Moment…
The major moment today came late in the second half, where substitute Deon Moore found himself on the end of a Tom Blackwell cross before smashing the ball into the net to give the Clarets a late lead.
This effort proved to be decisive, as shortly after the full-time whistle was blown, giving Robbie Simpson’s side a vital three points at home.
Next Up…
The Clarets return to the Vanarama National League South on Saturday 23rd April, with Slough Town visiting the EMG Inspire Stadium.
Robbie Simpson’s side will be eager to finish the season with a series of good results to lay the foundations for the next campaign.
Ticketing details for this fixture at EMG Inspire Stadium will be released in due course.
Chelmsford City: McKenzie-Lyle (GK); Vaz, Oluwo, James, Imray; Dada (Frimpong 90’), Isaac, Dunne; Blackwell, Sheringham (Jackson 82’), Rush (Moore 82’).
Unused Subs: Simpson, Dickens
Billericay Town: Oualah; Chambers, Ekpiteta (Stevenson 19’), Halford; Graham, Skeffington, Wright, Muscatt; Akinwade, Muir (Cox 83’), Gavin (Jeffrey 65’)
Unused Substitutes: Munns, Pinto
Attendance: 1,479
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