GULLS ARE GROUNDED
Relegated United held to goalless draw
TORQUAY were denied a winning start to their league campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by a rigid Chelmsford side.
Jamie Reid saw his secondhalf strike ruled out for off-side before Matt Young cleared Jean Yves Koue Niate’s looping header in added time as both sides took a point from an entertaining fixture.
And City boss Rod Stringer admitted taking a point was a positive result for his side against the relegated Gulls.
He said: “Both sides lacked the cutting edge, but I thought we had the lion’s share of the game.
“I thought there were some great performances and togetherness.
“Overall, we played some good football at times and the system worked well.”
The Clarets came close inside ten minutes when Rhys Murphy controlled well inside the area, although he was unable to find the net against his former employers. City came close again when Young’s cross-cum-shot headed across the edge of the six-yard box, although City were still unable to beat Shaun MacDonald.
Brett Williams then broke forward for the visitors, fighting off challenges from two Chelmsford defenders, but eventually dragged his weak shot wide.
MacDonald was forced into action once again when Frenchman Koue Niate failed to clear Jai Reason’s clever header, although Murphy was unable to beat the Gulls’ shot-stopper to the loose ball. Ryan Dickson’s right-wing fre-kick caused trouble in the Clarets’ defence but Koue Niate was unable to head home at the far post when in a good position. The energetic Murphy was proving to be the brightest spark in City’s attacking line as he once again carved an opening.
The experienced striker poked away from MacDonald inside the area, but his team-mates could not get a shot away.
Liam Davis provided the visitors’ most clear chance late in the first half, but he fired a shot wide from close range.
The visitors thought they had opened the scoring early in the second half when Reid fired past Worner, but the offside flag was raised and the goal was disallowed.
Moments later Scott Fenwick came close for Chelmsford, although Murphy was unable to tap home his drilled cross.
Elliot Omozusi’s delicate freekick midway through the second half picked out Fenwick who sent a looping header agonisingly wide, although the flag was raised for offside so it would not have counted in any case.
Substitute Max Porter forced a strong save from MacDonald when he volleyed Miles’ corner towards goal.
And soon after Omozusi came close once again when he forced another corner but to no avail.
Torquay thought they had won the game right at the death when Koue Niate’s header looped over Worner.
Unfortunately for him, Young appeared on the line to smash the danger away to retain the Clarets’ point.
Despite lacking any attacking intent, Gulls boss Gary Owers was pleased with his side’s performance as they avoided defeat on the road.
And for Owers, who took over at Plainmoor last September, there was plenty to be taken from the performance despite lacking the finished article in front of goal.
“Defensively we were excellent. A clean sheet away from home against a decent Chelmsford team is a good result,” said Owers.
“In terms of attacking threat there is definitely more to come from us.
“I think on the balance of it a draw was a fair result.”
STAR MAN: Rob Swaine (Chelmsford) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★