In my latest outing I was at Melbourne Stadium to see hosts Chelmsford City take on Southend United in a pre season friendly.
The hosts are gearing up for another season in the Conference South whilst the Blues had sent an Under 21 side to this friendly, no doubt in preparation for their season ahead too.
The visitors started the better and on 3 minutes had the first chance as a ball squared into the dangerzone saw a defender make a crucial block to deny an effort at goal and then on eight minutes a visitors attack down the right resulted in a header being put over the bar. It had been a good start from Southend’s youngsters.
A minute later and a shot from range by United took a deflection and almost beat the hosts keeper but he just about managed to re adjust his feet and save with his foot before picking the ball up. City had hardly ventured forward at this stage as the young Blues side were much the better side but as the game ticked towards the half hour mark the chances dried up as the game began to be bogged down a little.
On the half hour the hosts had their first real threat at goal when they won a free kick in a decent position just outside the box but it was a poor free kick which went well over. A minute later though the Clarets took the lead when Henry’s cross was missed by Lewis but rolled onto Spence who hits the ball first time past the keeper into the far corner. City 1 United 0.
This gave Chelmsford more impetus and a minute after they had their second as Bricknell tried his luck from range but saw his strike blocked but the ball came straight back to him and he let fly with an unstoppable effort past the keeper into the top corner and from nowhere the hosts had a 2-0 lead.City 2 United 0.
City were now well on top and eight minutes before the break they swung over a free kick and the resulting header back across box was headed just over by Bricknell. The visitors almost grabbed one back just before half time when a good diagonal ball forward found Williams running onto it and with no support hit a snap shot inches wide of the target. So at the half the Clarets had the advantage in a half the Blues had dominated for the first twenty five minutes or so.
Half Time: Chelmsford City 2 Southend United 0
United looked to strike back as soon as they could in the second half and three minutes into the half only a good defensive block thwarted the blues front line but then on 51 minutes a great chance for the hosts went begging when the keeper saved an effort from the hosts after they had got in down the right.
United continued to plug away and just before the hour grabbed a goal back when a ball into the back post saw Williams head at goal but this was blocked but Williams blasted home the rebound and was then involved in a scuffle with the keeper as he tried to get the ball back, all a bit unnecessary but the Blues were back in it. City 2 United 1.
However City went straight down the other end and increased their lead again. After the hosts had won a free kick about twenty five yards or so out Bricknell strode up and struck home the free kick and the Clarets were in control of the match once again. City 3 United 1.
This young Blues line up were made of tough stuff though and almost got one back moments later as they drove forward with purpose but saw their shot go inches wide of the far post. It was a warning to the hosts though that this game was far from over, a warning that wasn’t heeded as on 68 minutes it was 3-2 as a dinked ball into the box was controlled well by Williams before he went past the keeper and slotted home. City 3 United 2.
Two minutes later and the hosts attacked as they tried to put an end to the Blues resistance but saw a good effort fly just wide. It had been a much better second half. On 74 minutes a ball into the box from the visitors was volleyed a foot or so over the hosts goal and then three minutes later the Blues found themselves level when a ball into the dangerzone was headed home by the centre half making it anyone’s game going into the last ten minutes or so. City 3 United 3.
Alas neither side could muster a winner and the game ended all square. In short the first half wasn’t the best apart from the two goals but the second half was a much better spectacle and no doubt a decent work out for both sides.
Full Time: Chelmsford City 3 Southend United 3
Att: 274
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