Chelmsford City Under 9 Clarets

Match Report – May 16th 2010 

Chelmsford City  3     v    Meadow Youth 2

Chelmsford ended their season with a thrilling win after a fine comeback against a very good Meadow Youth team. The boys seem determined to finish on a high following the previous weekend celebrations and started the game in fine style.

They enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening 10mins and put together some fine passing moves only to see Tyrese Fairmaner and Ellis Casey thwarted by some fine goalkeeping. That was to be a recurring theme in the match as the Meadow keeper put in the best performance we have seen this season.

Against the run of play the visitors took the lead as a low corner swung in led to a scramble in the box and the ball being poked past Lewis Chapman in goal. Minutes later it was a case of déjà-vu as another corner led to a very similar goal and the boys found themselves 2 down which was unfamiliar territory for them. To their credit they continued to play their passing game with full backs Nathan Markham and Harrison Woods prominent pushing forward and just before half time they pulled a goal back. Archie McClelland broke down the left and played it to James Barry who beat 2 players before approaching goal, as the keeper advanced he opened his body up and curled the ball round the keeper.

At half time we encouraged them to keep playing the same way and shortly after the break they drew level as Bradley Buscall broke down the right and put in a cross which floated over the keeper and into the net. After that they poured forward for the winner but were kept out by some unbelievable saves as the keeper threw himself at everything. At the back Jacob Lodge and McClelland were outstanding keeping the counterattacks out and then launching our own attacks. Time was running out though as Barry picked up the ball in midfield and played it wide to Buscall who beat one man and then looked up and played a great ball on the floor into the box to find the run of Fairmaner who coolly despatched past the keeper to launch celebrations on and off the field.

The win was fully deserved and to comeback from 2 down very pleasing.

A great way to end a fantastic season in which the boys have fully deserved to win the league (by 9 points in the end). They put together a run which saw them win 17 in a row and have scored the most goals. The defensive record deserves a special mention as they have kept 14 clean sheets and only conceded 12 goals all season.