CHELMSFORD’s men's first team turned in a clinical performance against a weak Cambridge City unit to win 4-0 and take the team to a possible fourth-place finish in East Prem A.

With the visitors initially only having 10 players just minutes before the game and one turning up in jeans very close to the pushback, it would have been easy for Chelmsford to under-estimate the opposition.

Instead the opening exchanges were very calmly and professionally undertaken.

Possession was held for long periods against an inadequate press which enabled the Chelmsford side time and space to control the play.

The first goal came from a Tom Fanger drag flick which travelled at head height into the goal.

City chances were few and far between, and with a few minutes left on the clock before half time the lead was doubled.

A slick move down the right hand side initiated by some slick transferring between Andy Fox, Fanger and Will Stock, allowed Tom Woollatt the time and space in the D to shoot. While the save was made, Sam Rayner was on hand to unleash a sweetly struck volley over the beached keeper and through the terrified defender.

The second half was played out in much of the same way. After a small period of City resurgence Chelmsford once again took control of the contest.

Fanger added his second of the game with a drag flick across the goalkeeper to continue Chelmsford’s recent success at penalty corners.

A man of the match performance in the middle of the park by Adam Hunter combining well with CJ Mayes snuffed out the vast majority of the City advances.

The nail in City’s coffin was when Steve Harrison was deprived of a shot on goal by an over-eager defender who launched the teenager off his feet.

No sticks or balls seemed in evidence during this, and a penalty flick was awarded. Rayner flicked the ball firmly into the side netting.

And so it remained to see out the final minutes with very little added threat to the Chelmsford goal to round off a well-earned clean sheet.

This weekend Chelmsford make the journey to Wisbech, who currently sit bottom of the table and are yet to get their first points on the board this season.