Full-time: St Albans 1-1 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City extended their unbeaten run away from home in the National League South when Osman Foyo’s late strike earned the Clarets a point against St Albans City on Tuesday night.
Foyo’s eighth league goal of the season cancelled out Dom Hutchinson’s first half goal and meant City continued an undefeated streak on the road which goes back to the beginning of September.
Robbie Simpson’s side started the game at Clarence Park brightly and had the ball in the back of the net twice when Freddie Hockey and Foyo both beat St Albans goalkeeper Josh Blunkell during the opening 25 minutes. However, both efforts were disallowed after both players were judged to have been offside prior to scoring.
The hosts led at half-time after Hutchinson guided home Shaun Jeffers’ cross in the 36th minute. David Noble’s men squandered chances to increase their lead in the second half; Jeffers put a golden opportunity wide in the 56th minute while substitute Ken Charles blazed a shot over the crossbar early on in added time when he went through on goal one-on-one against Woody Williamson.
City earned a point deep into added time when Foyo lashed the ball into the St Albans goal from far out. A cleared Clarets free kick dropped the way of the Ipswich Town loanee, whose strike found its way past the players inside the hosts’ penalty area and into the back of their net.
Simpson made two changes to the City team which started Saturday’s draw at Torquay – bringing in Jordan Greenidge and Freddie Hockey in place of Jake Hyde and Charlie Ruff. Former Clarets Shaun Jeffers and Josh Castiglione featured in the Saints’ starting XI, while goalkeeper Blunkell made his St Albans City debut.
Hockey and Foyo both placed the ball in the back of the net during the opening 25 minutes of the proceedings at Clarence Park, however both efforts were disallowed. Hockey’s finish from inside the St Albans penalty area beat debutant Blunkell, but was ruled out due to an offside offence. Foyo applied a neat finish in the 23rd minute after getting behind the hosts’ backline, but the Ipswich Town loanee was also adjudged to have been offside when he was found by Hockey’s pass.
Noble’s side improved as the first half progressed, and took the lead in the 36th minute. Attacker Hutchinson scored from a few yards out after being on the receiving end of Jeffers’ dangerous delivery across goal, and made no mistake when he tapped the ball into the City net. After going ahead, St Albans grew in confidence and squandered numerous chances to increase their lead.
Jeffers picked City captain Cameron James’ pocket in the 56th minute to get a clear sight of goal with only Williamson to beat, but put his effort inches wide of the post. A combination of injuries, substitutions and slowing down of the clock resulted in there being quieter spells of play in the second half, however another good opportunity fell the Saints’ way in the first minute of added time. Substitute Ken Charles was rewarded with a sight of goal of his own after making a well-timed run behind the Clarets’ backline, however he missed an opportunity to put his side out of sight when he blazed his strike over the crossbar.
City came close to equalising in the 4th minute of added time when St Albans goalkeeper Blunkell spilt Kalvin Kalala’s shot on target into the path of Hockey. The forward was unable to dispatch Kalala’s shot past Blunkell, and the Saints’ keeper gratefully clutched the ball while Robbie Simpson despaired in the technical area.
Moments later, Simpson’s despair turned to delight when Foyo grabbed a late equaliser. St Albans forward Zane Banton conceded a free kick in the middle of the park which was cleared by his side. This clearance dropped into the path of Foyo, whose strike towards goal from 30-yards out found its way into the back of the Saints’ net to earn Chelmsford City a point.
Another point on the board 🙌
— Chelmsford City FC (@OfficialClarets) November 5, 2024
Thank you for your support tonight at Clarence Park, Clarets. We'll see you back at the EMJ Community Stadium on Saturday 👊#ManyMindsOneHeart pic.twitter.com/tWlo9hdEVc
Tuesday’s draw extended the Clarets’ unbeaten run away from home in the National League South to five matches and has helped City climb up to 10th in the league table. Simpson’s side return to the EMJ Community Stadium this weekend when they welcome Dorking Wanderers to Chelmsford on Saturday.
St Albans City XI: Blunkell (GK); James, Jeffers, Banton, Castiglione (Longe-Kine 79’), Woodman, Rasulo (Smith 84’), Partington, Lench, Hutchinson (Charles 71’), Chinedu (Moore 20’).
Unused substitutes: Evans.
Yellow cards: Moore, Rasulo, Blunkwell, Banton.
Chelmsford City XI: Williamson (GK); Gale, Appiah (Kalala 62’), James ©, Oguntayo (Hyde 75’); Tamplin, Bendle (Bland 82’); Foyo, Hockey, Williams (Eames 62’); Greenidge (Ruff 70’).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: James, Bland, Foyo
Match Officials: Martin Mitchell (Referee), Stuart Smith (Assistant Referee), Stuart Lathan (Assistant Referee), Jordan Gibson (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 1203
by