Top Of The Table Clash - Chelmsford City vs. Ebbsfleet United

Kick off at The Chelmsford Sports And Athletics Centre.

For the second week in a row, my plans of going to the coast and watching Southend Manor are foiled by the rain and for the second week in a row I end up at a Blue Square South game. Although this game is almost postponed as well and it is not until quarter past two that it is declared defiantly on. Going in to the game Chelmsford and Ebbsfleet are in second and third positions respectively. I'd seen Ebbsfleet earlier in the season in the FA Cup against Cray and it was a fantastic game and so the game had a lot of potential.

The moments before the first goal.

Chelmsford press from the off as Ebbsfleet appear to struggle with the pitch. The Chelmsford wingers are getting in to a lot of good positions and they force a few corners. The visitors fail to properly clear one of these corners and are made to pay when the striker slides the home in to the lead. Then from a quick break a cross come shot beats the keeper and Chelmsford are two up. There was little the keeper could do and I doubt the striker actually meant it! Ebbsfleet get back in to the game ten minutes before half time. The midfielder is clattered from behind and from the resulting free kick the home goalie is beaten by an unstoppable effort. At half time Ebbsfleet are glad to be only one behind. 

A rare first half attack from Ebbsfleet.

In the second half Ebbsfleet appear to be boosted by that goal at the end of the first half and have a real go at Chelmsford. The away side manage to send the striker clear but he is brought down when clear through and the referee has no choice but to give a penalty and to send the Chelmsford player off. The penalty is duly dispatched and the teams are level. Chelmsford fail to reproduce the football they played in the first half and Ebbsfleet look the more likely to score. They complete the turnaround and take the lead when the striker is allowed to turn in the box and smash the ball home. Chelmsford attempt to get an equaliser but Ebbsfleet hold on to close the gap on Braintree. 

The bust up just before the sending off with the main stand in the background.

Chelmsford is quite a picturesque market town. The Cathedral is a short walk from the station and worth a visit. On the walk to the ground from the station to the ground you pass at least five pubs. I had a drink in The Plough while I was waiting for news on the game. The walk takes around half an hour but the 56 bus stops a couple of hundred yards from the ground. The clubhouse is spacious and has a good selection of drinks. It also has Sky Sports. A special has to go the programme which is the best I've seen in the Blue Square South. Trains depart from Liverpool Street and takes just over half an hour.

The other area of seating.