Glenn Pennyfather was excited with how his players dealt with adversity at Meadow Park as City dispelled their history at a “notoriously difficult ground” to launch a stinging comeback and defeat Boreham Wood, Craig Parker (a penalty), Michael Bakare and Kezie Ibe netting the goals.

 

The Clarets’ boss rated last season’s defeat at the same ground as one of the lowest points of 2010/11 and it appeared this encounter was heading the same way when his team found themselves 1-0 down with 23 minutes left. But a sensational seven-minute spell saw Chelmsford roar back from Sam Cox’s first half opener, and the Boreham Wood scorer was also dismissed towards the end.

 

Third place is where the team now find themselves and Pennyfather explained: “Maybe in the last couple of occasions we’ve met them at a good time for them and a bad time for us - last year they’d just got seven new players in on loan. Sometimes you can’t put your finger on why you find it difficult at a certain venue.”

 

“Tonight we’ve laid those ghosts to rest. Our unbeaten away record lasts into the New Year and the players are really reaping the benefits of the way they apply themselves and prepare for matches and training. Even those who aren’t playing are part of our close knit group and there’s a real togetherness in the squad.”

 

City’s midfield was subject to a reshuffle as skipper David Rainford had to sit out once more through injury. That meant Sam Corcoran could come back in from out wide to a more familiar central position and the wings were catered for by the returning Warren Whitely and Cliff Akurang. Greg Morgan vacated the other side with a knock.

 

Boreham Wood has proven a difficult hunting ground for many of the division’s top clubs and Chelmsford fell behind as early as the 6th minute. The hosts broke away down the right flank and, although a dangerous delivery was initially cleared, Cox smashed a left footer beyond the helpless goalkeeper Stuart Searle and in off the post.

 

City responded with attempts towards the middle of the half and a quick counter of their own almost resulted in a goal when custodian Michael Jordan spilt the ball and his defence had to hack clear. Craig Parker also chased a lost cause on 20 minutes in a race with Jordan and won, sliding the ball just the wrong side of the near post.

 

The home team were still good value for their lead up to that point, although City certainly offered more as half time approached. Ibe had breached the back line on several occasions, the first time having a shot saved after a Parker through ball, the second finding himself penalised for a debatable foul and with the next he was about to pull the trigger for a shot at goal but his way was blocked.

 

Akurang tested Boreham Wood’s rearguard with a tempting ball from the left which went unconverted but the Clarets were in good shape at the interval despite being behind. That continued into the second half as Whitely and Akurang combined to cause panic in front of their opponents’ goal and Ibe had another effort saved.

 

On 56 minutes all that work was almost undone as the Hertfordshire outfit spurned a clear opening, Michael Thalassitis making excellent progress and pulling back for the well-positioned Daryl McMahon to carve well over. They were made to pay twelve minutes later. This time when Ibe was brought down by Charlie O’Loughlin a penalty was given and Parker ignored Jordan’s delaying tactics to sweep home.

 

That was a significant moment in the game because the score then swung dramatically in City’s favour. On 72 minutes a Whitely delivery on the left was brilliantly picked out substitute Bakare who hammered home at the far post. 2-1. Two minutes later, it was three when the ball broke to Ibe and he turned on the edge of the box before slamming into the net. From being on the edge of defeat, suddenly City were cruising.

 

Particularly so because Wood were in disarray and had defender Cox dismissed shortly afterwards for a second booking, leaving City to overwhelm them for the remainder of the fixture. Debutant youngster Tosan Popo emerged from the bench and could have notched twice when an Aidan Palmer centre was followed by his blocked shot and he later unselfishly tried to lay off Parker’s left wing delivery to a team mate.

 

“In the first ten minutes, we were very sloppy – we still had our coach legs on,” Glenn assessed. “We became a victim of the goal we conceded but when we got to grips with the game we showed a lot of character. This time last week we hadn’t even played Macclesfield. To think we’ve played three away games in six days was incredible and we passed the ball so well. Once we got the equaliser I knew we’d win.”

 

City:

 

1 Stuart Searle

2 Justin Miller

3 Aiden Palmer

4 Adam Tann (C)

5 Kenny Clark

6 Craig Parker

7 Warren Whitely

8 Sam Corcoran

9 Kezie Ibe

10 Max Cornhill

11 Cliff Akurang

 

12 Michael Bakare (On for Akurang, 63)

14 Joe Benjamin

15 Jermaine Brown (On for Cornhill, 90)

16 Tosan Popo (On for Whitely, 83)

17 Ben Nunn

 

Boreham Wood: Michael Jordan, Osei Sankofa, Mark Jones, Sam Cox, Charlie O’Loughlin, Luke Wilkinson, Sam Lechmere (Charlie Hunter, 80), Daryl McMahon, Michael Thalassitis, David Bryant, David Hutton (Justin Cochrane, 80). Unused Substitutes: Chet Johnson, Nathan Korianteng, Omar Beckles.

 

Bookings: City: Akurang (60, foul). Boreham Wood: Cox (25, foul and 76, foul), Jordan (68, delaying the restart of play), Bryant (71, foul), McMahon (90+1, foul).

 

Sent Off: Boreham Wood: Cox (76, second bookable offence).

 

Referee: Anthony Coggins (Bicester).

 

Assistant Referees: Simeon Potter (Sutton) and Chris Phillips (Carshalton-on-the-Hill).

 

Attendance: 251.

 

City Man of the Match: Kezie Ibe.