Search for
Search for
Search forAdvantage City over promotion rivals
Wednesday, November 05, 2008, 13:16
Although victory gives City a two-point lead at the top and a psychological advantage over the new Dons, King was adamant afterwards that: "it was just another three points in the bag whoever we played and that's what we want to keep doing."
City certainly deserved their win because they were both the better side and adjusted far better to the slippery pitch and they also took their chances.
It took two early second goals from Chris Moore, coming off the substitutes' bench, to set the victory up for City and it proved quite a significant landmark for the former Dagenham & Redbridge striker.
The close season signing has struggled to make an impact so far in the City set-up but the way he took his goals on 54 and 57 minutes was a clear indication of what he is capable of and what most fans had been expecting.
There was also another impressive performance from Ollie Berquez while defensively City always looked capable of coping with the visitors' attacking force led by renown goalscorer Jon Main.
City had the best possible start in front of their biggest gate of the season so far - 2,318 - with Jon Keeling giving them the lead on two minutes with a low corner kick that saw the ball curl past everyone and into the net.
City should have gone further ahead before midway through the half momentum was lost with an eight minute stoppage when the referee became ill and had to be replaced.
Ricky Holmes and Jeff Minton almost added to City's lead before the break with home fans keen for their side to score again to give them breathing space.
City lost Ian Cousins at the half way stage which forced Keeling to drop back into an unaccustomed left-back position which he did with credit.
Moore's arrival signalled the goals City wanted as he rounded goalkeeper Andy Little to slide the ball home and three minutes later, Holmes set Moore up to score from close range.
The Dons pulled a goal back through Danny Kedwell with the City rearguard caught napping but even then there seemed little likelihood of them spoiling City's day.
The stand-in referee rather lost the plot in the final 20 minutes, booking eight players and with the game deep into stoppage time Main toe-poked the ball home for a late goal.
But City were home and dry by then and fully deserving of their win and three points - manager King said afterwards he now wants to see a repeat performance and result when City go to now second placed Maidenhead this Saturday.
Chelmsford City: Gay; Miller, Cousins (Moore), Duncan, Robinson; Rainford, Berquez, Minton, Keeling; Brayley (James), Holmes.
City had a comfortable passage into the Third Round of the Essex Senior Cup when they thumped Essex Senior League side Southend Manor 7-1 at Melbourne Stadium on Monday in front of a 303 crowd.
A hat-trick from Jason Hallett led the scoring spree against a side that did the senior league great credit by trying to play football right to the final whistle.
Apart from their goals City also hit the woodwork five times in what was a canter for the players with time and space to play some excellent attacking football.
It was also an ideal opportunity for four youngsters from the reserves to see how they match up in the first team and it was left-back Josh Brown who was the most impressive of the quartet.
Hallett scored on 14 and 23 minutes with an Ross Webster own goal on 30 minutes already making the result a forgone conclusion.
Chris Baddeley converted a 37th-minute penalty for the Manor before Dave Rainford headed home on 43 minutes, and repeating the feat inn the 48th minute.
On 68 minutes Hallett completed his hat-trick two minutes after Bertie Brayley had netted.
This Saturday City sees City at second placed Maidenhead United for a Blue Square South fixture.
Plan for your future with a pension from Standard Life.
Pet Insurance- 5% Online Discount
UK Pet Insurance. Buy instantly online. From just £4.85 per month.
Voted Britain’s Favourite DIY store Free delivery on orders over £45.
DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Chelmsford City's Jeff Minton tackles AFC Wimbledon's Jon Main in Saturday's Blue Square South match.
Comment on this story