Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB at the Melbourne Community Stadium
@JohnCphoenixfm
Chelmsford City took the honours in this all-Essex clash and moved back towards play-off contention, as they dealt Concord Rangers a blow in their fight for National League South survival.
City manager Rod Stringer made a couple of changes from his side’s last game, which was the defeat against Billericay Town in the Essex Senior Cup final nearly a fortnight ago. Danny Green and Chris Dickson made way in the starting line up for Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Scott Fenwick, neither of whom had been eligible for that game.
Concord boss Adam Flanagan made one change from his side’s home defeat to East Thurrock United last Tuesday, Femi Akinwande replacing Steve Cawley who dropped to the bench.
Fenwick, making his home bow for the Clarets made an instant name for himself after just 11 minutes, when he latched onto a cross from the right flank and scored with an extraordinary overhead kick to make it 1-0 to the home side.
Fenwick, Shaun Batt and Taylor Miles had opportunities to extend the Clarets’ lead, and Akinwande had the Beach Boys’ first chance but the score remained 1-0 at half time.
After the break Akinwande had a further chance for Concord on the hour, his low shot going just wide. This followed a lengthy pause as home defender Craig Barham-Barrett received treatment for a head injury.
There was another opportunity for the visitors to equalise on 72 minutes when Ben Greenhalgh beat Danny Green – who had just come on to replace Jazzi Barnum-Bobb – but his initial effort was stopped by Chelmsford goalkeeper Sam Beasant, and a further attempt went over the bar.
Green then had a decent goalscoring opportunity 10 minutes from the end, after being laid on by fellow substitute Chris Dickson but his effort went wide of the post.
Concord won a corner in injury time, which Greenhalgh floated into the area but Billy Roast’s header went over the bar.
So City took three points and other results meant they moved up a place to 8th in the league, a point away from the play-off spots.
Chelmsford City : Sam Beasant, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb (Danny Green 71), Craig Barham-Barrett, Elliot Omozusi, Michael Spillane, Chris Smith, Taylor Miles (Joshua Wallen 74), Anthony Church, Scott Fenwick, Shaun Batt (Chris Dickson 60), Jonathan Giles.
Concord Rangers: Louis Wells, Rob Girdlestone, Jordan Brown, Billy Roast, Lewis Knight, Adam Topley, Andy Freeman, Lewis Taaffe (Emmanuel Ighorae 77), Femi Akinwande, Ben Greenhalgh, Khale Da Costa (Steve Cawley 46).
Attendance: 831
