Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB reporting from the Melbourne Community Stadium
A much anticipated fifth meeting of the season between these two old rivals proved to be a somewhat disappointing encounter, as Chelmsford City failed to claim home advantage over Dartford in the battle to claim a place in the National League.
Clarets manager Rod Stringer made just one change to the side that started their final league game at Hungerford on Saturday, Max Porter replacing Max Cornhill who dropped to the bench. Darts boss Tony Burman, having seen his team pip City to 3rd place with a 3-2 win at Poole brought striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong into his starting eleven, ahead of Andy Pugh.
In a very tight opening period it was Chelmsford who went close after 10 minutes, a shot from Max Porter going just wide of the post. Then in the 17th minute, a cross from captain Anthony Church found striker Louie Theophanous, whose close range back heeled effort was superbly tipped over the bar by Darts goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim. The remainder of the first half saw plenty of tussling for possession by both teams, but little in the way of flowing football or clear cut chances although Theophanous again went close in the 38th minute, following a corner.
Just after the restart the lively Theophanous again went close for City, a shot from the right just rolling wide of the post. In the 63rd minute his strike partner Chris Dickson latched onto a pass to unleash a thunderbolt of an effort, but it was too high and went sailing over the bar. Dartford’s only effort of vague note came in the 78th minute from Ryan Hayes, following a corner but his shot was easily caught by Clarets keeper Ross Fitzsimons.
Chelmsford boss Stringer threw on substitute Shaun Jeffers in the closing minutes in an effort to change the game, and within a couple of minutes it nearly paid dividends with right back Josh Hill going close for the home side. The game went into the four minutes added on by referee Savvas Yianni, and City were still pushing for a goal but could not break the deadlock. So both sides will meet again in the second leg at Princes Park on Sunday, in what will hopefully be a more entertaining 90 minutes than this first leg proved to be.
Chelmsford: Fitzsimons, Hill, Daley, Porter, Bush, Haines, Willmott, Church, Theophanous (Jeffers 83), Dickson, Rees
Dartford: Ibrahim, Wood (Harris 77), Wynter, Bonner, Vint, Brown, Hayes, Bradbrook, Ofori-Acheampong, Noble. Wanadio (Murphy 78).
Attendance: 1653