Weymouth 1 Chelmsford City 4 (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Weymouth 1 Chelmsford City 4

10:49am Monday 18th January 2010

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IN-FORM striker Ricky Holmes prompted Chelmsford City Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather to draw comparisons with non-league scoring legend Lee Boylan after netting an exquisite hat-trick to guide the Clarets to third place in the Blue Square South.

Holmes continued his potent record in front of goal with a fantastic threesome as Pennyfather gushed with pride after the game and beamed: “Ricky threatens to do that in most games and he has the ability to make something from nothing.

"He is very like Lee Boylan because if he’s on-song he will score goals.

"His knack of running past two or three players then smashing the ball into the net really inspires the rest of his team mates.”

The visitors recovered a deficit to move behind Newport County and Dover Athletic, substitute Rob Edmans emerging from the bench to add a fourth after Scott Bryce gave the Terras a 30th-minute lead.

Glenn added: “Lewis Smith was excellent on his debut, working hard for his couple of chances where he forced their ‘keeper to work.

"The longer he’s with us the more he’ll emerge and it’s great to have so many options up-front, with Rob Edmans, Antonio [Murray] and Ricky Modeste all still in the mix.”

Chelmsford opened by stringing together some neat passing moves, leading to a Marlon Patterson delivery across the face going unconverted and a long-range Smith effort being dealt with comfortably by goalkeeper Ryan Harrison.

His opposite number and namesake, Ashley, was rarely threatened other than a handful of Weymouth breaks, though he would pick the ball out of his net on 30 minutes in unfortunate circumstances.

The hosts’ cross into the danger zone from the left looked to be heading harmlessly out of play until a late, crucial deflection off Bryce took the ball over Harrison and into the net.

This gifted the bottom club a deserved lead, though their advantage would last just nine minutes, Patterson combining with Smith at the other end prior to sending a ball to the far post where Holmes was waiting unopposed and in space to nod home.

Smith almost turned the match around only for his goalmouth strike to be thwarted by Harrison as Chelmsford finished the half the stronger of the teams.

Imposing centre-half Ben Martin came forward to head over from a corner and skipper Dave Rainford saw his own pot-shot saved, though the proceedings would be intriguingly and evenly poised as the players jogged back to their changing rooms for half-time.

Any resolve Weymouth had developed against their opponents would eventually be smashed in the second half though a more even pattern developed early in the period.

Play became stretched, which suited a City side capable of counter-attacking, and Holmes was through on goal on a pair of occasions without success.

The Terras, however, went close themselves when a deep free-kick was flicked on by the head of an attacker, forcing Harrison to push it onto the bar and down where it had to be cleared frantically from under the Chelmsford crossbar.

The 519 spectators were being treated to some end-to-end football and they would soon witness a great goal to accompany this excitement on 69 minutes.

Holmes picked the ball up not far from the half-way line and had defenders back-tracking as he galloped forward, evading tackles on the way before dispatching a sumptuous 25-yarder into the bottom corner of Harrison’s net, earning City the lead.

Chelmsford’s advantage could have grown when substitute Modeste dribbled down the left and supplied the hard-working John Martin to no avail and Anthony Cook also sliced wide later on.

Though the Clarets succeeded four minutes from time. Having just seen a Weymouth goal chalked-off for offside, Holmes claimed the match ball as he was found again on the left before cutting inside and driving a true strike beyond Harrison.

The finishing touch came from Edmans who benefitted from a cracking ball from Cook on 90 minutes.

The right winger was heading away from goal but he wrapped his boot around a cross into the area where City’s striker met it with a side-footed finish.

This boosted his team’s goal difference and moved them into a strong third-place position at the same time, leaving his boss wanting more in the FA Trophy on Monday night.

“We have to take every game as it comes and made sure of this match first before concentrating on Crawley but now we can look forward to a completely different kind of test,” Pennyfather revealed.

“We’ll have a few players cup-tied for that match but whoever plays will give the best possible account of themselves on Monday.

"Our squad has so much quality in it now and they’ve all got that desire and belief to succeed.”

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