National League South

CHELMSFORD CITY 1 WEALDSTONE 3

JOHN CHUBB at The Melbourne Community Stadium

The inconsistency and defensive mistakes that have proved costly for Chelmsford City so far this season were in evidence once again this afternoon, as they slipped to defeat against league leaders Wealdstone despite having plenty of chances of their own.

Chelmsford created a good opportunity in the opening seconds of the match, when a great first-time flick-on from Sam Higgins set up Shaun Jeffers but his shot went wide of the right post.

Shaun Jeffers goes close for Chelmsford in the early stages of the match (photo by Sara Day) 

Higgins then broke clear of the Wealdstone defence a couple of minutes later, but the big centre-forward also fired wide.

Then Wealdstone had their first attempt on goal with 8 minutes gone, when Ross Lafayette took advantage of a poor attempt at a back pass by Michael Spillane and it took a very good stop by Clarets keeper Carl Pentney to prevent the visitors from going in front.

Almost immediately afterwards Lafayette created another chance for the Stones when he crossed into the box, but the ball evaded everyone apart from David Winfield – making his league debut for City having recently signed from Ebbsfleet United – who put it out for a corner.

With the quarter of an hour mark approaching in what had been a lively early stage Jeffers had a decent effort for Chelmsford from about 20 yards out, and it wasn’t far over.

Then Wealdstone broke the deadlock in the 17^th minute.

Right-back Nick Arnold put an excellent floating cross into the box and Daniel Green was on hand to head past Pentney from close range to make it 1-0 to Dean Brennan’s men.

Just before the half-hour Clarets tried to get on level terms when Higgins cleverly chested the ball down for Chris Whelpdale, who unleashed a strong effort but visiting keeper Aston Oxborough was on hand to make a save.

A couple of minutes later Jeffers had a close-range header on target, but again Oxborough was alert to any danger.

Wealdstone’s remaining effort of the half came from ex-Arsenal and Billericay Town man Sanchez Watt in the 42^nd minute, when he unleashed a powerful strike from about 30 yards out, but it was well wide to the left of Pentney.

Chelmsford City’s Billy Knott attempting to create a goalscoring chance for his side (photo by Sara Day) 

Just three minutes into the second half Stones doubled their lead when they won a free-kick 30 yards out. Billy Clifford unleashed a screamer of a shot past Pentney to make it 2-0.

Wealdstone were looking increasingly confident and Michael Phillips had another effort for them in the 51^st minute, but it was well blocked by Winfield.

Then several minutes afterwards the Stones won a free-kick in almost the same place as the one that resulted in their second goal.

But this time it was placed in the direction of the far post, from where it was flicked on by Connor Stevens to Jerome Okimo who made it 3-0, as the visiting side began to dominate proceedings.

And Watt nearly made it four just before the hour mark, with a powerful strike not very far to Pentney’s left.

Chelmsford had a decent chance to pull one back on 66 minutes, Billy Knott’s free-kick finding Spillane whose shot deflected off Jeffers and hit the post.

Several minutes later another free-kick taken by the former Bradford City midfielder from a similar position found the head of Higgins, but Oxborough caught the ball fairly easily.

Then Knott took another with 9 minutes remaining after he was fouled by Charles, but another header – this time from Spillane – was fired straight in the direction of Oxborough.

With three minutes to go Chelmsford’s persistence paid off, when Knott crossed the ball for Winfield to head the ball home and make it 3-1.

But really it came too late to make a difference and so the league leaders took all three points back to Middlesex, having won their 11^th league game out of 13 played so far.

Chelmsford City (Manager: Rod Stringer): Carl Pentney, Eliot Omozusi, Frazer Shaw (Alex Osborn 82), Anthony Church (Andy Fennell 66), Dave Winfield, Shaun Jeffers, Sam Higgins, Chris Whelpdale (Jonny Giles 52), Michael Spillane, Chez Isaac, Billy Knott.

Wealdstone (Manager: Dean Brennan): Aston Oxborough, Nick Arnold, Michael Efete, Billy Clifford (Afolabi Coker 88), Connor Stevens, Jerome Okimo, Michael Phillips, Sanchez Watt (Ashley Charles 69), Ross Lafayette (Dejon Noel-Williams 90), Daniel Green, Dennon Lewis.

Attendance: 1,263

After the match I spoke with Chelmsford manager Rod Stringer. The conversation can be viewed here.