Chippenham Town v Chelmsford City FC

Match Report

Chelmsford City continued their unbeaten start to the new Vanarama National League South season with a 0-0 draw away at Hardenhuish Park against Chippenham Town.

City had the best chances in the game with home keeper Will Henry keeping the Bluebirds in the game in the first half. Simeon Jackson and Ade Oluwo could have put the Clarets in front but Chippenham substitute Noah Coppin had possibly the best chance of the game in injury time when he hit over the bar when well placed in the area.

Chelmsford manager Robbie Simpson from the start elected to freshen up his midfield with a number of games coming up over the next few days. Henry Ochieng who impressed off the bench in recent games came in for his first Clarets start to replace Liam Trotter who was rested. Louis Dunne returned from suspension to replace Simeon Jackson. Simpson kept with his 5 at the back so Dave Winfield started back-to-back league games for the Clarets for the first time since January.

Chippenham started the brighter of the teams which was a surprise as the Clarets had had a good chance to score in the opening minute of their last two games. City though did have the best early chance when Jazzi Barnum-Bobb knocked the ball down the right and Harry Lodovica dummied defender Landon Golding but his left footed effort was well saved down low by Will Henry. Chippenham’s defence almost presented City with the next best chance but a defender eventually stopped Tom Blackwell running in on goal.

Chippenham probably shaded the rest of the half without creating too many opportunities and the game became scrappy in the latter part of the first period. Firstly Jazzi Barnum-Bobb went down with an injury which meant he didn’t come out for the second half. Then Ovie Ejeheri and Ade Oluwo collided when Seb Palmer-Houlden was sent down the left which meant that Oluwo had to wear a bandage but he disposed of this for the second half.

City brought on Simeon Jackson for Barnum-Bobb at half-time with Tom Blackwell moving to right wing-back and it was Jackson who had a great chance to open the scoring. Some brilliant touches by Aransibia down the left wing fed in Jackson but his half-volley was smacked the wrong side of the post.

The game started to open up after that and Chippenham could have scored when Bristol city loanee Seb Palmer-Houlden fired over from a corner and then at the other end Ade Oluwo poked over for City following a whipped free-kick from Aransibia. Chippenham sub Jordan Young also forced Ejeheri into a good save.

2 games in 4 days for both sides were beginning to take its toll on the legs and the game started petering out. However, in the 92nd minute it could have been heartbreak for City. Eddie Jones headed the ball back after a left wing cross but teenage sub Noah Coppin helped the ball over the bar when in acres of space. There was still time for Will Richards to head a corner over the bar as the Bluebirds finished the game the strongest.

An encouraging start to the season continues for the Clarets and it is the first time we have gone unbeaten in the first four games of the season since 2008-09.

City though have a bank holiday double-header when we face Welling away on Saturday 27th August and then we are at home against Concord on Monday 29th August, both 3pm kickoffs.

Chelmsford City: Ejeheri, James, Barnum-Bobb (Jackson 46), Winfield ©, Oluwo, Aransibia, Dunne (Ruff 62), Lodovica (C Jones 78), Blackwell, Ochieng, Vaz

Unused Subs: Trotter, Hockey

Booking: Ochieng

Player of the match: Dave Winfield

Chippenham: Henry, E Jones, M Jones, Golding, Richards, Hanks ©, Mehew (Santos 71), Palmer-Houlden (Coppin 87), Parker (Young 58), Russe, King

Unused Subs: Gunner, Bradbury

Bookings: None

Attendance: 497

Referee: C Scriven