Chelmsford City 2-1 Ashford Town (Middlesex), Saturday 6^th January 2007, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Ryman League Premier Division.

By Mark Jackson (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)

A last-gasp winner from Dwain Clarke, his first in a City shirt, won the match for City after Ashford gave them a run for their money with the opening goal at Melbourne.

Mario Noto's strike on 63 minutes levelled Stuart Lake's surprise first-half finish and Clarke's last-minute finish stole the points to put the Clarets level on points with Margate at the top of the table.

After defeat in the final game of 2006, Jeff King would have wanted to kick-start 2007 with a win against Middlesex strugglers Ashford Town, to keep the pressure on at the summit of the Ryman Premier.

With one of the division's leakiest defences coming to Melbourne Park, many of the home contingent thought this would be a whitewash in favour of the home side. It was in one sense, with torrential rain constant throughout the game. "We took a while to get going, but we got our just rewards at the end in what was a tough game," Captain Ben Chenery said afterwards.

King was again without Fiston Manuella in the centre of the park through injury but Spencer Knight had completed his recovery and was selected at left-back. Jay Conroy was missing on the right due to a knock so Chris Duffy deputised. Gavin Heeroo was also chosen as Manuella’s replacement instead of Kevin Stephens.

The Middlesex visited the County Town full of confidence and optimism after their previous outing against Slough Town, which resulted in a win, and the 4-4-2 system integrated by the visitor’s stifled Chelmsford’s attacking quartet of Holmes, Noto, Clarke and Ibe. After a dull 18 minutes which coincided with the weather, it was the away side that opened the scoring in the 19^th minute. A slick move down the left-hand side allowed Stuart Lake to steal in un-noticed to slot home from eight yards.

"It was a poor goal to concede and from then on it was an uphill struggle," stated Chenery. Prior to the goal the Chelmsford attack was non-existent, but this was merely the catalyst to spark them back into life in front of over 800 spectators. In a five-minute blitz, the hosts had numerous chances to equalise, most notably two of them falling to Ricky Holmes. Firstly a neat one-two involving Kezie Ibe released the nippy winger, who fired over from ten yards and then the industrious Spencer Knight whipped in a low cross, but the sliding Holmes was unable to control his shot on the greasy surface.

As the second half began the heavens opened and with this the Chelmsford fans roared their side on. A barrage of constant pressure from City finally proved dividends in the 63^rd minute when the in-form Mario Noto grabbed his second in consecutive games. The former Canvey Island man found the bottom right-hand corner with a precise strike from the edge of the area.

Midfield maestro Jeff Minton stated: "We had some good chances and once we got the equaliser there was only going to be one winner." A huge sigh of relief was evident from the home supporters after the goal. Holmes then had a glorious chance to redeem himself for his earlier misses with fourteen minutes remaining. Dwain Clarke’s curling cross evaded everyone but Holmes fluffed his lines once more when he lashed wide with a rash finish to the dismay of the home support. After the game the youngster claimed: "I think it was inevitable in the end that a winner would come."

The Ashford rearguard was now coming under increasing pressure and they seemed content to restrict the Clarets to long-range efforts. This, however, nearly cost them as Chenery’s blistering 35-yard strike was fizzing towards the top corner, only to be denied by the width of the post. "I don’t hit many like that. I caught it cleanly but I would have never heard the last of it had it gone in," said Chenery.

Burgess then denied Noto’s dipping free-kick, turning it to safety, but the away side were dealt a cruel blow in the last minute. Substitute Jason Hallett found Noto with a neat cutback and his inadvertent touch found Clarke at the back post, who swivelled to net the winner.

After the game, Minton said: "It was the best way to bounce back after defeat to Billericay. We were the dominant side throughout. When we do fall behind we have the confidence to come back, as we have done so many times this season to win games."

City:

1 Richard McKinney
2 Spencer Knight
3 Chris Duffy
4 Ben Chenery (C)
5 Steve Ward
6 Gavin Heeroo
7 Mario Noto
8 Jeff Minton
9 Kezie Ibe
10 Ricky Holmes
11 Dwain Clarke

12 Stuart Ainsley
14 Jay Conroy
15 Bryan Glover
16 Jason Hallett (On for Ibe, 82)
17 Ashley Harrison (GK)

Ashford Town (Middlesex): Paul Burgess, Vinnie O'Sullivan, Jason Chewins, Micky Cook, Steve Battams, Ricky Wellard, Paul Johnson, Stuart Lake, Gavin Smith, Scott Todd, Darren Deegan. Substitutes: Jon Palmer, Wes Goggin, Scot Harris, Jamie Redrup, Danny Cox.

Bookings: City: Heeroo (87, foul). Ashford: Cook (40, foul), Johnson (73, foul).

Referee: Mr Gary Jerden (Grays).

Assistant Referees: Mr Lloyd Wood (Dagenham) and Mr Mark Spradbery (Grays).

Attendance: 817.

City Man of the Match: Dwain Clarke.

For more Match Photos, Click Here.