Chelmsford City Under 9 Clarets

Match Report – February 21st 2010 

Stones Athletic  1     v    Chelmsford   4

After last weeks fantastic performance the boys had to battle hard in atrocious conditions to gain a hard earned victory. We arrived at Stones to pouring rain which eased as kick off approached, however the previous match left the pitch cut up and one goalmouth resembling a puddle.

The game kicked off with conditions not conducive to passing football but the boys attempted to keep the ball moving. Chances came but were struck straight at the keeper from James Barry and Bradley Buscall. At the other end the defence led by Jacob Lodge and Archie McClelland did not allow the visitors a shot until shortly before half time and keeper Harry Gooch had to be quick off his line to block the effort. With seconds remaining Harrison Woods picked up the ball on the left and played a great ball down the line to Barry who cut in and beat a defender before finishing hard and low.

The second half started slow until Lewis Chapman picked up a loose ball in midfield beating a man, he then cut in and hit a low shot with his left which the keeper failed to get hands to and doubled the lead. After that Stones came forward and won a free kick 15yards out, from the shot a goalmouth scramble saw keeper Gooch beaten as the ball was bundled over the line.

With Stones sensing a chance it was somewhat fortunate that a Tyrese Fairmaner ball into the box was handled with the subsequent penalty emphatically despatched by Buscall. With the game back under control the boys enjoyed possession but the pitch had deteriorated into a mud bath. They did manage another goal as Ellis Casey and Fairmaner combined to play in Barry who finished low past the keeper. The final action saw Gooch hurl himself to his left to tip the ball around the post.

A tough victory in difficult conditions as they recorded their 9^th league victory in a row.