Click here to listen to Glenn’s post-match interview.

 

City are “ready and raring to go” according to Glenn Pennyfather having watched his side prepare for next week’s big kick-off with a 2-0 victory over Blue Square Bet North contenders Nuneaton Town at Melbourne, first-half strikes from Max Cornhill and David Rainford doing the damage.

 

The Clarets begin their competitive campaign at home to Truro City on Saturday in the Conference South and a triumph over the Midlands outfit, much-fancied as promotion challengers in their own division, was an ideal way to prepare. The City Manager will now assess the players he has available before picking his first squad.

 

“Nuneaton reached their play-off final last year and were very unlucky not to beat Telford, so it was a good test for us,” he reflected. “I like a difficult game prior to us starting to play league games as they’re like what you’ll be up against the following week. I was interested as you always want to see how sides shape-up in a league that runs parallel with yours, and we’ve done well. Now we’re ready and raring to go!”

 

In a shot-shy first period it was the visitors who carved the greater percentage of the few open chances, though City needed goalkeeper Stuart Searle to impose himself upon Robbie Burns and get his chest in the way of the striker when clean through on goal in the 2nd minute. Later on another ball was rolled into Searle’s goalmouth though Guy Hadland’s back-flick ended up safely in his arms.

 

Chelmsford then moved ahead on 26 minutes through Cornhill, who had already grabbed two goals in midweek at Harlow Town. Sam Corcoran floated a dead ball delivery towards the far post from the left touchline and, despite an initial effort being blocked, Cornhill was able to sweep home the rebound from ten yards.

 

A barmy few seconds in the 35th minute could have resulted in an equaliser as the ball careered around the home danger zone and Kezie Ibe almost got clear of the defence to threaten ‘keeper Neil Collett at the other end. But City did extend their advantage five minutes before the break when Joe Benjamin was tripped on his way towards goal and Rainford drilled the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.

 

Beyond the break it didn’t take Chelmsford left-back Aiden Palmer long to test Collett again, sending a free kick towards the top corner which Town’s custodian had to tip onto the crossbar as Chelmsford began to press home their superiority. A rasping volley from Benjamin which screeched just wide arrived hot on its heels then James Armson followed suit at the other end, albeit with a wider margin.

 

Jermaine Brown looped an effort into Collett’s arms from distance on 54 minutes then, within seconds, a firm Corcoran tackle in midfield sent Benjamin away. His impetus worked a shooting position and the resulting screamer missed by inches. The traditional raft of substitutions duly arrived for the remainder of the game, Adam Walker going close for Nuneaton late-on while City striker Cliff Akurang also shot over.

 

City:

 

1 Stuart Searle

2 Jermaine Brown

3 Aiden Palmer

4 Adam Tann

5 Ben Nunn

6 David Rainford (C)

7 Warren Whitely

8 Sam Corcoran

9 Kezie Ibe

10 Max Cornhill

11 Joe Benjamin

 

12 Tyrone Scarlett (On for Whitely, 72)

14 Cliff Akurang (On for Ibe, 56)

19 Joe Woolley (GK) (On for Searle, 76)

 

Nuneaton Town: Neil Collett, James Armson, Aaron James, Mark Noon, Gareth Dean, Mark Albrighton, Robbie Burns, Adam Walker, Danny Glover, Lee Smith, Guy Hadland. Substitutes: Lee Moore, Eddie Nisevic, Alex Gudger, Luke Taylor, Sam Belcher, Sam Slater, Sole.

 

Bookings: None.

 

Referee: Peter Wilson (Chelmsford).

 

Assistant Referees: Andy Russell (Chelmsford) and Cheron Robinson (Chelmsford).

 

Attendance: 213.

 

City Man of the Match: Joe Benjamin.