Chelmsford City 1–0 Concord Rangers

(Fenwick 11)

From Melbourne Park

National League South

A STUNNING bicycle kick was the difference between Chelmsford City and Concord Rangers as the Beach Boys were left pointless following an uninspiring Essex derby.

Scott Fenwick’s 11th minute goal was one of few moments of quality at Melbourne Park, with the Beach Boys’ endeavour not enough to force an equaliser.

The Clarets needed the points in order to edge closer to a return to the play-off positions, with Concord’s eyes firmly on what was happening below them in the National League South.

Concord needed to start well after their last outing – a 4-1 home reverse against East Thurrock United – and there was little between the two teams in the first 10 minutes.

But a bolt from the blue from home debutant Fenwick broke the deadlock.

A right wing cross was sent into the danger zone and Fenwick sent a first time bicycle kick into the top corner of Louis Wells’ goal.

The visitors were offering little in attacking areas, with their first effort 27 minutes in coming although Femi Akinwande’s shot went well wide of the post.

The rangy Shaun Batt was next to threaten as he turned well and drove at goal only to see his powerful right-footed strike tipped over the crossbar by Wells.

Denied on that occasion, Batt was causing Concord problems and he should have added his name to the scoresheet three minutes into the second half.

A left wing cross from the excellent Craig Braham-Barrett found Batt but he miscued two yards from goal and his header went inexplicably wide.

The following 30 minutes produced very little in the way of clear-cut chances as Concord threatened briefly to get back into the match but goalkeeper Sam Beasant was largely a spectator throughout.

Concord Rangers: Wells, Girdlestone, Brown, Roast, Knight, Topley, Freeman, Taaffe (Ighorae 77), Akinwande, Greenhalgh, Da Costa (Cawley 46)