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Chelmsford City 2-2 Billericay Town, Monday 28th August 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Ryman League Premier Division.
City surrendered a two-goal lead against Billericay as they were forced to settle for a point in Melbourne on Bank Holiday Monday. Town levelled on 77 minutes through a Lee Hodges wonder goal to level after Jason Hallett netted City's second ten minutes after the break, the first second half goal the Clarets have registered this season. Jeff King had the luxury of fielding an identical line-up to the one that convincingly defeated Hampton & Richmond Borough at the weekend and they got off to the perfect start in the 13th minute as Stuart Ainsley, City's attack-minded left wing-back, received a Kezie Ibe lay-off on his way forward and his effort took a heavy deflection as it looped over goalkeeper Billy McMahon and in. There was action at the other end five minutes later as Danny Morgan took advantage of some confusion in the Chelmsford penalty area to tantalisingly hammer across the face of goal. Meanwhile, McMahon was called into action again in the 24th minute with Mario Noto hooking a shot over his shoulder and on target only for the Town 'keeper to catch. Billericay's Morgan was to go close again on 31 minutes as he raced through on goal but City 'keeper Richard McKinney showed bravery to come out and stay low as the Town forward's effort was blocked by his chest. McKinney also did enough to put Morgan off from the follow-up. Mario Noto's reputation as a Clarets master shooter grows with each match and before the interval there was time for him to create a trio of chances as he firstly had a pop after an Ainsley pass on 34 minutes, took a ball from Liam Hopkins to hammer across McMahon who tipped wide and also struck out of the blue from distance with the Town custodian helping the ball wide. In between, Jason Hallett headed a relatively simple chance wide but was spared embarrassment by the Assistant's flag. However, Hallett made no mistake ten minutes after the interval as his second goal in two games doubled Chelmsford's lead. Surrounded by defenders and the advancing custodian McMahon, he displayed admirable persistence to get a toe to the ball and roll it into the goal. City were delighted to have built such a cushion, and Noto again threatened with a free-kick that flew inches over, though the two-goal advantage would last just nine minutes. On 64, a second wave of attack caused fury amongst the Clarets' defence as a suspiciously offside Joe Flack received a flick-on from burly substitute Nathan Elder and netted from close range. Emotions were already running high but the goal added to the spice of the occasion and Billericay upped the tempo with Elder meeting a header firmly in the 72nd minute which narrowly cleared the bar before they duly levelled thirteen minutes from the end. City lost the ball in midfield and diminutive substitute Lee Hodges, formerly of West Ham United, exhibited his League experience with a stunning strike into the top corner to level the scores. Nerves were frayed as both teams searched for a winner with time ticking away and Ainsley went closest for the home side with an 88th-minute cross which just dropped onto the roof of the net. Missing out on two valuable points irritated the Chelmsford bench though an unbeaten start was maintained, something which is fairly unfamiliar to Clarets fans at this stage of a season. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Tony Battersby Billericay Town: Billy McMahon, Dave McSweeney, Danny Kerrigan, Darren Blewitt, Steve Heffer, Jamie Dormer, Matt Game, Leon Hunter, Danny Morgan, Joe Flack, Warren Ryan. Subs: Lee Hodges, Dave Collins, Rob Swaine, Nathan Elder, Ronnie Worster. Bookings: City: Hallett (27, foul), Noto (67, foul). Billericay: Game (25, foul), Heffer (59, foul), Ryan (65, foul), Flack (80, foul), Hunter (81, foul). Referee: Mr Ashley Slaughter (Brighton). Assistant Referees: Mr Michael Cottee (Hornchurch) and Mr Oliver Roguez (London). Attendance: 1,268. City Man of the Match: Gavin Heeroo. |
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By
Chris Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
