City finally overcame ten men Billericay with three late goals to progress to the Quarter Finals of the League Cup. In a highly competitive game Billericay were perhaps unfortunate to find themselves on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline.    

An early strike for Billericay, rightly ruled off-side, should have been sufficient warning to City to up their game, but they found themselves 1-0 down following a long free-kick which broke loose, and the ball was prodded in from close range. City had produced some half chances, chiefly through Luke Prudence down the left hand side, but Billericay went in at half-time holding the lead.

The second half saw some improvement from City, winning more possession, and continuing to feed the ball wide to Luke Prudence, who often looked Chelmsford’s most dangerous player. However, Billericay continued to battle and compete, and too often City failed to make their 1 man advantage tell. Indeed, just as though it looked like Billericay would hang on to their lead, they failed to clear a high ball in to their box, and Jared Cousins pounced to strike the ball home from close range. That goal galvanised City, and they began to pass the ball more accurately, and finally begin to control the game.

With ten minutes remaining, City began to exert more pressure, and where able to play more of the game in Billericay’s half, and it was no surprise when they took the lead. A thunderous 30 yard strike from Max Everitt flew over the keepers head, as the ball broke kindly from a City throw in on the left. Finally, with just minutes remaining, a free kick from the right, well taken by Jordan Robertson, was spilled by the Billericay goal-keeper and Connor Horne stroked the ball into an empty net from five yards.

Chelmsford Starting 11:

Fisher, Sinfield, Kennedy, Robertson, Hyde, Prudence, Horne, Payne, Beckwith, Everitt, Cousins.

Sub: Lambert and King.