MATCH REPORT: Chelmsford City 0-1 Chippenham Town | National League South | Sat 7th Jan 2023

A superb team performance in a rain-sodden Essex saw the Bluebirds move out of the relegation zone.

With the wind behind them the Bluebirds fashioned two chances in the opening five minutes as Tom Mehew shot over whilst Alex Bray cut in and shot and on-loan Arsenal keeper Ovie Ejeheri turned the ball round the post for a fruitless corner.

On thirteen minutes Joe Hanks’ effort was easily saved by Ejeheri.

The Bluebirds took the lead on thirty one minutes with a superb twenty five yard shot from Hanks that found Ejeheri’s top corner.

Chelmsford almost equalized immediately as Will Henry just managed to turn Reece Grant’s effort behind.

From the resulting corner Spencer Hamilton was adjudged to have fouled Harry Lodovica but from the ensuing penalty Simeon Jackson hit the post.

On thirty eight minutes Tom Blackwell’s shot hit Hamilton and looped up to Henry.

Just before the break the Bluebirds lost Leighton Tuodolo to injury whilst the hobbling Hamilton collided with Henry but Jackson’s shot hit a defender.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time Blackwell’s free kick saw Eduino Vaz’s headed effort well-saved by Henry.

HALF TIME: Chelmsford City 0-1 Chippenham Town

A minute after the break Luke Russe’s shot was blocked whilst four minutes later Liam Trotter found Grant whose header went straight at Henry.

A Chippenham corner on fifty four minutes was headed over by Will Richards.

A minute later the Bluebirds gave the ball away in midfield and Jackson’s eventual shot was deflected behind.

Just after the hour Harry Parsons was presented with a good chance but Frankie Terry made a great block. Parsons then had a one on one but the ball was hit straight at the keeper. Hanks then volleyed wide on the seventieth minute.

A minute later Hamilton did well to thwart Blackwell.

Ten minutes from time Hanks shot wide but then had to leave the field with an injury.

In the second minute of stoppage time the unmarked Blackwell chose to go for an overhead kick when there were simpler options open to him.

FULL TIME: Chelmsford City 0-1 Chippenham Town

Chippenham: Will Henry, Leighton Tuodolo (Aarron Simpson 45), Spencer Hamilton, Will Richards, Will King, Luke Russe, Tom Mehew, Joe Hanks (Caine Bradbury 82), Alfie Santos, Harry Parsons, Alex Bray subs not used: Aaron Simpson, Callum Gunner, Twariq Yusuf, Joe Parker

Chelmsford: Ovis Ejeheri, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Liam Trotter, Dave Winfield, Harry Lodovica (Jamie Yila 84), Simeon Jackson (Arjanit Krasniqi 56), Tom Blackwell, Henry Ochieng (Callum Jones 56), Reece Grant, Eduino Vaz, Frankie Terry subs not used: Cameron James, Khale Da Costa

Ref: Richie Watkins

Ass Refs: Daniel Procter, Paul Burnham

Att: 658