City played out a goalless draw with Ryman League Premier Division challengers Canvey Island at Park Lane as goalkeeper Andre Foster saved a Cliff Akurang penalty for John Batch’s hosts to provide the main drama.

City were the more prominent side in the first half though there were a couple of early opportunities for Canvey’s Joe Green, who watched one header fly narrowly off-target while Clarets goalkeeper Joe Woolley had to rush out to prevent him getting to an 8th-minute through ball. Greg Morgan also had a pair of chances for the visitors, firing over from a decent position and seeing a nodded effort saved low by custodian Foster.

Former Gulls man Kezie Ibe met Joe Benjamin’s cross centre on 29 minutes, Foster again doing well to block. Debutant Clark then made a crucial interception at the other end in the 34th to get in the way of Leon Gordon’s shot, Alex Rhodes finding his follow-up also blocked. Ben Nunn then shot straight at Foster to bring down the curtain on the first half.

Canvey grew into the second period though it wasn’t until the 73rd minute that the first noteworthy attack was served-up for either side. The hosts’ Jay Curran fouled Ricky Modeste in the area but Foster dived well to his left to hold onto Akurang’s penalty. Rhodes almost went one better for Canvey just afterwards, shooting a left-footed free kick just over. Late efforts by Steve Ward and Hussein Isa also went begging for the home team.

The game marked defender Kenny Clark’s first appearance in a Chelmsford shirt since joining from Thurrock, while Jermaine Brown featured in a further friendly in midfield and on the wing there was a place for young ex-West Ham United forward Benjamin. Manager Glenn Pennyfather was keen to see more of all three as the pre-season schedule continues.

“I was really pleased with Kenny’s first 45 minutes for us,” he explained. “He’s got a brilliant attitude and he’ll be a great signing for us. Kenny can multitask and he’ll go from strength to strength as he’s a winner. Jermaine offers us something different, he’s had a good upbringing and is developing an understanding of what’s needed from him, while we kept tabs on Joe when he was at Ebbsfleet United, we will take a good look at him.”

City: Joe Woolley, Ben Nunn, Aiden Palmer, Adam Tann, Kenny Clark, Max Cornhill, Greg Morgan, Jermaine Brown, Kezie Ibe, Craig Parker, Joe Benjamin. Substitutes: Cliff Akurang, Mark Haines, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Tyrone Scarlett, Alex Rossis (GK), Ricky Modeste.