Clarets boss Glenn Pennyfather has claimed his current squad is “about as strong as I’ve ever had it at this stage of a pre-season” despite going down unluckily by the odd goal in three against Evo-Stik Southern League club St Neots Town, Kezie Ibe scoring City’s goal at The Hunts Post Community Stadium.

City dominated the opening stages on a hot Cambridgeshire day but succumbed to Stefan Moore and Neil Mackenzie strikes. “We’ve got a few to add but I think our fans will be impressed when we play our next game back at Melbourne,” explained Glenn after the game. “There were players not involved today who we already know about and it was good to give 90 minutes to Kenny Clark in his recovery from injury as well as Max Cornhill, who’s been ill recently.”

“Nobody likes to lose games but I think we played well, and started fantastically. For the first 20 minutes we were camped in their final third, rattled the bar and it was a matter of time before we scored until they did against the run of play. Kezie equalised and I thought we’d push on from there but we created plenty of chances and just didn’t put them away.”

The hosts were trying desperately to shut Chelmsford out early in the game and were grateful to the crossbar on 16 minutes as Cornhill met a corner with a glancing header. However, the hosts moved in front themselves when City’s defence were caught napping and a 21st-minute ball from the left fell nicely for Moore, who smashed home on the bounce.

Seven minutes before the interval the Clarets levelled through Ibe. City earned a free kick outside the box which was worked into the goalmouth where the Chelmsford striker was able to bundle into the net from around six yards. The scores remained level heading into the interval as both teams raised the tempo, with the competitive fixtures just a fortnight away.

The second half was less eventful though there was cause for home celebration as Mackenzie converted the ultimate winner five minutes after the break. Another left-sided delivery landed into the path of the St Neots man on the edge of the box and he finished well. Chelmsford got into some decent wide areas and produced some tempting crosses but were unable to restore parity for a second time as numerous opportunities went begging.

However, Pennyfather was able to give a first appearance to goalkeeper Stuart Searle, who he rates highly. “Stuart has a wealth of experience, which is just what you need from a goalkeeper,” Glenn added. “He excelled at Basingstoke and went on to play for Chelsea Reserves, as well as time with Watford and MK Dons. I knew he was becoming available and was keen to speak with him when he did. He knows the game inside out.”

City: Stuart Searle (Alex Rossis), Ben Nunn, Aiden Palmer, Kenny Clark, Mark Haines (Rob Swaine), Max Cornhill, Ricky Modeste (Greg Morgan), Sam Corcoran, Kezie Ibe (Tyrone Scarlett), Cliff Akurang, Joel Benjamin. Unused Substitutes: Adam Tann.