Chelmsford City 1 – 0 Wealdstone
Chelmsford City
1 - 0
WealdstoneA LATE defensive howler led to another defeat for Wealdstone and while they are still 12th in a league of twenty-two, the congestion at the bottom puts them just three points above a relegation place.
Lively Chelmsford were always breaking with pace and prepared to fire in powerful shots from long distance. Fortunately these were almost always off the mark and Andy Carter spent a lot of time retrieving the ball for goal kicks.
Wealdstone’s attacks were more sporadic. With Jermaine Beckford suspended, attacking options were limited.
The best chance of the first half fell to Chelmsford’s Cross but he blazed wide as Carter narrowed the angle.
As a snow shower fell, Cross, Craig Edwards and Thomas all were off target.
Wealdstone’s best effort was an early Gary McKeown shot that keeper Nicholls saved at the expense of a corner.
Wealdstone showed more purpose going forward after the break, but the better openings still fell to the home side.
Following a strong run by Lay, Julian Edwards slid the pass wide at the near post, and after another direct run Valdez did the same.
Soon after, Richard Morton could have had a hat-trick. The first effort went high, the second into the side netting, and the third was blocked after a shot was delayed.
It looked like Wealdstone would be rewarded for their battling efforts but substitute James Fisher failed to deal with a header on the halfway line and Ansell ran through unchallenged to beat Carter.
Chelmsford fizzed more shots on Carter’s goal, but both Lay and Nevill were off-target.
Deflated Wealdstone had just one chance to level in the closing minutes but Martin Carter headed wide.
Harrow Times – Steve Spaull