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Chelmsford City 3-1 Worthing, Saturday 9th November 2006, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Ryman League Premier Division.
Chelmsford responded to defeat at Walton in the best possible fashion with a comfortable victory over Sussex strugglers Worthing. The return of Fiston Manuella and Mario Noto from suspension heralded a major change in fortunes as the Clarets showed what they are capable of with periods of sublime football which killed-off the lowly team early in the match. Jeff King also named Dwain Clarke on the left wing, a new signing recently released by Maidenhead United, and he enjoyed an accomplished debut. City stay in sixth position in the League but are now in a much stronger position going into the busy festive schedule. Stuart Ainsley, Gavin Heeroo and Bryan Glover made way for the incoming influx of central talent and early in the game, Kezie Ibe gave Worthing cause for concern as he tailed a back-tracking defender and robbed him of the ball on 2 minutes, the uncertain header back allowing the Clarets' lone striker to half-volley a bouncer wide of the target. Four minutes later there was a brief moment of panic in the home defence as a dangerous Rebels cross from the left threatened to be put away to no avail, though at the other end Noto tried his luck from long range and his effort sailed well off-target. However, skilful midfielder Noto fared better in the 21st minute with the opening goal. Ibe was strong in protecting the ball and laying-off to City's top Ryman scorer who made no mistake in stroking the ball in from ten yards. Ibe was a constant thorn in the visitors' side and approaching the half-hour mark he latched onto a suicidal back-pass before blasting over from an acute angle with his right foot. Worthing created a pair of opportunities moments before the break, with Joe Keehan having a half-volleyed strike deflected wide and Sonny Cobbs struck a 25-yard free-kick straight at Richard McKinney either side of a penalty appeal from Ibe in the away penalty area. Post half-time City went back on the offensive and Ricky Holmes' header from a Jay Conroy pinpoint right-wing delivery missed the goal frame by inches just prior to the hosts' second. After Clarke's initial strike was blocked at the last minute, Ibe was on hand to guide the ball over the line on 50 minutes. In the 58th minute the away side in two-tone blue again went close when Jamie Brotherton sprinted down the left and squared inside for Sam Gargan to nod wide of the near post. Though this was to prove in vain as in the 60th minute City gave an indication they intended to run riot courtesy of a third goal. Noto once again displayed determination and craft before supplying an accurate far-post centre which Conroy and his controlled volley passed 'keeper Rikki Banks on its way into the net. Far from giving-up at this stage, Worthing came straight back and registered a good goal to keep the match at least partly alive. Gargan got in front of a defender and powered the ball out of the reach of McKinney and inside the corner after a left-wing cross on 65 minutes. There started a period which the visitors will have been pleased with and Keenan went-on to test McKinney with a low shot from distance which was collected by the City custodian. As full time approached a few lapses in the Rebels' defence were evident, however, and Cobbs almost headed over the top of his own goalkeeper towards the goal on 84 minutes. Then a flowing move from King's men led to Ibe dragging wide of the target from around twenty yards. Despite skipper Ben Andrews heading at point-blank range into the gloves of McKinney seconds before the end of stipulated time, Worthing were unable to find a way back and the three points stayed in Essex to bolter Chelmsford's promotion credentials. City: 1 Richard McKinney Worthing: Rikki Banks, Joe Keenan, Mark Knee, Sonny Cobbs, Ben Andrews, Andy Lutwyche, Jamie Brotherton, Leo Day, Sam Gargan, Liam Collins, Danny Davis. Subs: Stuart Axten, Paul Rogers, Karl Akehurst. Bookings: None. Referee: Mr J.R. Lodge (Ipswich). Assistant Referees: Mr A. Oldershaw (Brentwood) and Mr D. Raval (Walthamstow). Attendance: 734. City Man of the Match: Mario Noto. |
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By Chris Evans
(Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
