Listen to Glenn’s post-match thoughts by following this link. For Matt Bradshaw’s official match photos, visit www.photoboxgallery.com/chelmsfordcity.

 

City are still yet to concede a goal at Melbourne Stadium this season after keeping a further clean sheet against Dartford, Billy Bricknell and Anthony Cook netting the vital goals as Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather paid tribute to his players for “rolling their sleeves up” against the Kent outfit.

 

The Clarets, who entered the game looking to avoid their third straight defeat, scored once in each half to fend off the newly-promoted side and stay fourth in the Blue Square Bet South table as a result. Pennyfather had expressed disappointment at the weekend’s loss at rivals Braintree Town but believed his squad reacted in the perfect fashion.

 

He said: “I thought we picked ourselves up today after a poor performance Saturday. We didn’t get bullied, won our challenges and put a shift in. You have to earn the right and when you get goals in front it allows you to play so I was pleased we rolled our sleeves up. We contested every ball, were strong when defending and got people marked properly.”

 

Four changes were made to the line-up as a hand injury for James Pullen meant a return to action for Ashley Harrison, who had previously taken a break from the game over the summer. Meanwhile, Mark Haines was drafted in at right-back, replacing Ricky Modeste so Anthony Cook could move forward into midfield. Midfielder Stephen Reed came in for injury victim Matthew Lock and Billy Bricknell replaced Sam Higgins up front.

 

The first half was largely devoid of attacking threat though the 6th minute saw a curling dead ball delivered towards City’s Sami El-Abd who headed into the floor and over. A Dave Rainford half-volley sailed wide from the edge of the area later on but the Clarets did break the deadlock on 28 minutes. Cook’s in-swinging free-kick evaded everyone in a crowded box except Bricknell, whose faint touch was enough to guide it into the net.

 

Dartford rarely troubled Harrison in goal except for a Billy Burgess stab on target shortly before the break which was easy for the ‘keeper to collect. The other side of half time it was the hosts who nearly brought about a second goal though a chip from Rainford on the right side of the box lacked height and was caught by stopper Andrew Young. John Martin also tried his luck from distance, thumping left-footed and wide.

 

Either side of the hour mark the impressive Bricknell caused a nuisance once more and could have appealed for a penalty when he got a sight of goal from close range though he appeared to be held back as his prod got stuck under the body of Young. He also twisted and turned twice on the edge of the box prior to sending a shot deflected and wide.

 

With around 20 minutes remaining, Stephen Reed’s attacking prowess became especially evident, firstly through a direct free-kick which dipped and forced Young to get down low and save. The same player also tested the goalkeeper’s awareness with a crafty lob from inside the centre circle which saw Young chase back and watch with relief as the effort bounced once and landed on top of the roof of the net.

 

Though Dartford could do little about Reed’s assist in the 85th minute as his inch-perfect cross-field pass from left to right set-up Chelmsford’s clincher. Cook was the grateful recipient and his perfect first touch took him inside a defender and into the penalty area where he was able to rifle the ball inside Young’s near post into the top corner.

 

The Darts had been punished for having spells of attacking possession but few tangible shots on goal, although former Claret Ollie Berquez went close in injury time with a whistling drive inches over from 20 yards. Glenn concluded: “People fancied them before the start of the season after winning the Ryman last year and it’s always difficult for promoted teams coming in. As we found out, you get no easy games in this league.”

 

City:

 

1 Ashley Harrison

2 Mark Haines

3 Marlon Patterson

4 Adam Tann

5 Sami El-Abd

6 Dave Rainford (C)

7 Stephen Reed

8 John Martin

9 Billy Bricknell

10 Anthony Cook

11 Takumi Ake

 

12 Liam Bellamy

14 Rob Edmans (On for Bricknell, 88)

15 Sam Higgins

16 Ricky Modeste (On for Ake, 70)

17 Lewis Batchford

 

Dartford: Andrew Young, Billy Burgess (Adam Gross, 70), Tom Bonner, Joe Bruce, Paul Goodacre, Tom Champion, Lee Noble, Ollie Berquez, Charlie Sheringham, Elliott Bradbrook (C) (Ryan Hayes, 63), Danny Harris. Unused Substitutes: Carl Rook, Michael Shinn, Lee Burns.

 

Bookings: City: Patterson (55, persistently infringing the Laws of the Game), Cook (57, foul), Haines (83, foul). Dartford: Burgess (52, foul), Noble (77, foul).

 

Referee: David Rock (Hertford).

 

Assistant Referees: Ron Albert (Catford) and Craig Pullen (Ilford).

 

Attendance: 1,111.

 

City Man of the Match: Anthony Cook.