CLARETS GO WEST TO KEEP UP PACE!
DARTFORD sought revenge after last season’s play-off defeat but it was the Clarets who took the bragging rights despite finishing with ten men.
Chelmsford, whose goal came from Michael West, had Kudus Oyenuga sent off just four minutes later in the 19th minute.
“It was probably one of the best, one of the most enjoyable victories I’ve had,” Chelmsford boss Rod Stringer told The NLP. “I thought we played well, we got the ball and then were unfortunate with Kudus.”
“To go down to ten men early on against a team like Dartford and still manage to work like we did was brilliant. The way we banked off and worked was credit to the team.”
A defensive error between Richard Sho-Silva and Danny Harris allowed Barnard to set up West, who beat Deon Ibrahim.
But minutes later Dartford were given a numerical advantage when Ian Fissenden deemed Oyenuga to have challenged Tom Bonner with an elbow, with the ref sending the striker off.
The visitors had a great chance to equalise soon after when a corner caused havoc, only for Mike Spillane to clear.
Pavey thought he had equalised when he cut inside on the edge of the box and struck past Sam Beasant, but the celebrations were cut short as the flag was raised for offside.
West almost doubled the hosts’ lead when he controlled a long ball, however the winger was harshly penalised as he tried to squirm past Sho-Silva. Danny Green created another chance for the hosts but his driving run was eventually brought to an end as Ronnie Vint smashed the ball away.
Six minutes into the second half Green came close to doubling the lead but his curling shot clipped the post after Elliott Omozusi’s drag-back. Ibrahim’s save then denied James Stevenson’s shot.
The visitors thought they would equalise when a loose ball found tom Murphy at close range however the striker somehow hit wide.
They then had loud claims for a penalty when Beasant and Harris clattered inside the box, but the referee refused to point to the spot.
City continued to search for a second although it was Dartford who came closest in the closing minutes as Spillane headed off the line and Pavey shot into the side netting.
STAR MAN: Daniel Green (Chelmsford) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★