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Concord Rangers 2-3 Chelmsford City, Tuesday 5th December 2006, Thames Road, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Friendly.
Jason Hallett's hat-trick proved enough for the Clarets to overcome Essex Senior League side Concord Rangers in a practice match designed to give several first-teamers valuable match minutes. The young striker boosted his confidence ahead of some important upcoming Ryman League fixtures with a trio that could have been four had he converted an additional first-half penalty. Jeff King's starting line-up meant rests for a number of key players whilst handing opportunities for many others to stake their claims for a regular first-eleven placing. Ashley Harrison took his place in goal while Gavin Heeroo and Stuart Ainsley, both squad members who had been appearing in crucial games of late, were fielded to give them opportunities to keep their places. In the centre of defence, youngster Bryan Glover was partnered by Kevin Stephens, City's weekend signing from Enfield Town. In midfield, two important faces returned from suspension in Mario Noto and Fiston Manuella and they were joined by regular Ricky Holmes and Liam Hopkins on the flanks, with Mitchell Lowes sitting as a defensive central outlet. This left Hallett up front as the only specific striker and he wasted no time in getting on the score-sheet, netting from close range on 4 minutes following a dropped ball by the home goalkeeper. On 15 minutes Holmes worked his way to the edge of the area where he saw his shot blocked while at the other end Harrison had his palms stung courtesy of a tester from the edge of the box. Then, just before the half-hour mark, Hallett was presented with an ideal opportunity to double the advantage as Heeroo was hacked down on his way in from the right wing for a penalty which Chelmsford's previous marksman struck onto the outside of the post and away. However, there was no error evident in the 36th minute, with Hopkins arriving at the far post to meet a left-wing delivery for his shot to be blocked by Concord's 'keeper into the path of Hallett who side-stepped his marker and rammed into the back of the net from ten yards. Just prior to half-time Maunella nearly marked his return with a goal, lifting the ball over after an accurate Holmes free-kick picked him out of a crowd of players in the box. But three minutes after the break Rangers threatened to get back in the game as they tucked away a penalty into Harrison's bottom-left corner due to a pushing offence in the area by Glover. This was the cue for City's Holmes to cause all sorts of problems at the other end as he rounded the 'keeper and watched his subsequent cross beaten-away then he struck just off-target on more than one occasion. The hosts were not without chances of their own, however, as they caught Harrison racing from his line once and also bashed the crossbar with a header. With twenty minutes remaining the Clarets re-established their two-goal cushion as Noto tried his luck from outside the box and the block that resulted fed Hallett, who buried the chance from near the penalty spot. Concord replied with a simple headed goal later-on after having another effort ruled-out for offside beforehand to complete a competitive run-out for the Chelmsford squad. City: 1 Ashley Harrison Bookings: None. City Man of the Match: Fiston Manuella. |
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By
Chris Evans
