IN-FORM CLARETS’ CLASS IS ON SHOW
CHELMSFORD CITY fired an early warning to their play-off rivals as two late goals saw off fellow top five hopefuls Poole Town.
In what was always going to be an incredibly tight game, it was no surprise to see the teams entering the half-time interval level pegging.
The game proved to be very scrappy but late strikes from Louie Theophanous and substitute Shaun Jeffers saw the Clarets take the points.
Delighted Chelmsford assistant manager Nick Haycock said: “I think the first half we were a little bit lethargic, not like our normal selves. We didn’t ask enough questions and there wasn’t much in the game.
“Once we got the first goal we felt more assured and Shaun has come off the bench to get two great goals.”
Meanwhile, Poole boss Tom Killick, felt that his side were left hampered by a poor performance from the match officials.
“Although it shouldn’t be such significant consequences, it was a clear throw-in to us,” he said.
“The referee or linesman gave them the throw-in and they scored. The third goal is a foul on our left-back so it’s ridiculous decisions that let us down.”
Abdulai Baggie came closest for the visitors in the first half as his darting run was pulled back after a foul by Anthony Church in the centre of the pitch.
Chelmsford’s Chris Dickson created a brief threat to Nick Hutchings’ goal, however his header nicked off the crossbar.
The two sides came out ready for the second half, bursting to get into an early lead, and it was the Clarets who looked the more likely.
Robbie Willmott and Ashley Miller continued to combine well on the right wing, whilst Luke Daley saw his well-struck long- range shot saved by Hutchings.
But the Clarets’ hardwork eventually paid off as they took the lead. Another Willmott corner caused havoc in the visitors’ box and Theophanous latched onto Dickson’s knock down and smashed home.
And the home side waited just three minutes for a second as substitute Shaun Jeffers latched onto Willmott’s long ball by rifling home a volley from range, leaving Hutchings stumbling into the goal.
There was still time for a third goal and Jeffers grabbed it, directing a superb finesse shot around Hutchings to seal three important points in City’s hunt for promotion. STAR MAN: Louie Theophanous (C’ford) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★