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Search forNo complacency as City win again
Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 13:26
And that's how it will remain claims City manager Jeff King who saw his side maintain pole position with a hard-fought 2-0 win over second placed Maidenhead United on Saturday.
"We did the job and really could have won by more goals but the important thing was to pick up all three points," said King.
City, forced to play the final 21 minutes with 10 men when Steve Robinson was red-carded for pulling back Richard Pacquette en route for goal, fully deserved their win particularly on their second half performance where they dominated the game.
Even with a one man advantage the home side clearly showed their tactical inadequacies by continuing to thump high balls up front which were easily dealt with by City's strong defence.
Maidenhead also had no answer to City's passing game which repeatedly opened up their defence all afternoon.
Both sides had chances in the first half, notably Ollie Berquez (twice) and Jon Keeling for City, while City goalkeeper Danny Gay twice saved well and Spencer Knight also kicked the ball off the goal line.
City stamped their authority on the game in the second period with both Dave Rainford and Jeff Minton outstanding in midfield while the pace of Ricky Holmes and half-time substitute Kevin James down either flanks, caused all kind of problems for the home rearguard.
It was a mazy run by Holmes on 67 minutes that set up City's first goal when the unmarked Minton slid the ball low into the net.
Two minutes later Robinson was sent off but it failed to deter City from their attacking game and 10 minutes later Rainford should have made the game safe by breaking clear only to see goalkeeper Shane Gore deny him with a fine save.
But a second goal was clearly coming and two minutes from time the unselfish Chris Moore, who did an excellent job all afternoon playing as City's sole striker, beat Gore with a neat curling shot that gave some respectability to the scoreline.
Moore has come to the City party late since his summer signing but again in this hard fought game at the cramped York Road ground – just how do inadequate stadiums like this pass Conference grading? – he showed his true value as a quality team player.
The home side had started full of confidence, quite physical too and intent on stopping City from playing their football, but they failed miserably and also showed their naivety when it came to match tactics.
But as City manager King keeps saying: "It's just another three points and there's a long way to go."
Chelmsford City: Gay; Miller, Knight (James), Duncan, Robinson; Rainford, Minton, Berquez, Keeling, Holmes (Cousins); and Moore.
Attendance: 782.
City's Setanta Shield Third Round clash with Grays Athletic at The New Recreation Ground was surprisingly postponed at the last-minute due to an apparent floodlight failure.
Supporters and players had arrived but a fault with the electrics meant no floodlighting and officials had to call the game off.
The game will now be played on Tuesday November 25, kick-off 7.45pm.
This Saturday City host Bath City in another league game.
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KNEES UP: Chelmsford City's Dave Rainford (right) battles for the ball with Maidenhead United's Ben Surey in Saturday's Blue Square South match that City won 2-0. Match report on page 76.
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