|
|
|
|
Harrow Borough 0-3 Chelmsford City, Saturday 16th November 2006, Earlsmead, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Ryman League Premier Division.
Mario Noto's latest wonder-strike formed part of a personal double as the Clarets romped past Harrow Borough by a three-goal margin. Chelmsford's prolific midfielder netted twice in the first half, the initial breach another screaming, 30-yard effort, to combine with Jeff Minton's early second-half penalty to move Jeff King's team up to fourth place in the Ryman Premier and within touching distance of top spot. The only change the Management Team made to the side that defeated Worthing the previous weekend was enforced. Chris Duffy was missing at left-back due to a one-match suspension for cautions accrued and Stuart Ainsley stepped-in to take his place. In the 7th minute City began to gain some authority when Ricky Holmes cut inside from the right flank and squared to Kezie Ibe whose meeting of feet with a defender saw his shot deflected over from a corner. Within sixty seconds Minton caused Borough problems, taking a touch outside the box before firing wide of the mark. Noto's first arrived in style in the 15th minute of the game. His latest masterpiece saw him move the ball to one side and swerve a dipping exocet right into the top corner to put Chelmsford in front with the maximum of class. Harrow's attacks were infrequent though occasionally dangerous and James Bent gave City goalkeeper Richard McKinney cause for concern in the 20th minute by taking the ball round him but being able to muster no more than a cross after taking a heavy touch. The Clarets' response a few minutes later came courtesy of Dwain Clarke and colleagues with the new winger playing the ball into Ibe who turned and struck at 'keeper Kieran Jimmy who could only nervously parry wide. Holmes collected the resulting corner at the far post but his low half-volley was blocked. Ibe was one of the main threats to the hosts with his quality hold-up play and assistance of his attack-minded team mates and near the half-hour mark he twisted and laid the ball off to Holmes once more and his rasping 25-yard drive was tipped-over by Jimmy. Chelmsford were dominant. Therefore it was no surprise when City extended their lead to two, again through Noto. A long Holmes ball over the top searched-out Ibe and he controlled it before passing back to the advancing midfielder who found the net from fifteen yards on 35 minutes. Just prior to the half-time break Harrow gave the Clarets a couple of frights. Firstly Leon Morris was presented with an open goal via a pacey ball across the face but he smashed over first-time. Then Albert Adomah incredibly headed onto the crossbar from close range to remind King's men the game was not over as the whistle went for the interval. However, it was business as usual upon the resumption with Ibe heading a left-wing cross a yard wide and Holmes picking-up a short back-pass and narrowly missing the target with his shot. Then, in the 53rd minute, Ibe proved too hot to handle for a Borough defender who hauled him down when through on goal, resulting in a penalty. Minton stepped-up to net down the middle of the goal in customary style, in turn finishing the match as a contest. A low Clarke free-kick was almost turned-in by Minton five minutes later and Ibe nearly found the target after being tracked all the way by his marker in the next quarter of an hour as Chelmsford showed no sign of letting-up, though it was a relatively straight-forward task ahead of the visitors as soon as the third goal went in and the pressure was off them to net further goals. Mario Noto was still in search of a hat-trick, however, and in the 73rd minute he tested Jimmy with a bouncing strike from outside the box which was matched at the other end by Bent ten minutes from time. City's best opportunity was reserved for Jay Conroy two minutes into injury time. He showed immense stamina to get forward from right-back and round the Harrow 'keeper but he was unable to finish the job. It meant little, with the Clarets journeying home having completed the job professionally going into the vital festive schedule. City: 1 Richard McKinney Harrow Borough: Kieran Jimmy, Daniel Nielsen, Rob Sterry, Danny Leech, Jamie Diston, Kwasi Frempong, Leon Morris, Daniel McGonigle, James Bent, Jonathan Constant, Albert Adomah. Subs: Kai Williams, Leon Callender, Kyle Matthews, Ricci Campbell, Craig Nicholson. Bookings: None. Referee: Mr Stuart Burt. Assistant Referees: Mr Lee Forrester and Mr Manoj Dhokia. Attendance: 224. City Man of the Match: Mario Noto. |
|
By Chris Evans
(Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
