CHELMSFORD CITY 0 HORSHAM 0

CHELMSFORD CITY:
1.Danny Gay 2.Steven Clark 3.Spencer Knight 4.Andy Duncan 5.Steve Ward 6.Jamie England 7. Mario Noto 8.Stuart Ainsley 9.Jon Keeling (Lawson) 10.Bertie Brayley (Ibe) 11.Ricky Holmes Subs:12.Sam Biscoe 14.Kezie Ibe 15.James Lawson 16.Liam Saunders 17.Ashley Harrison

HORSHAM:
1.Paul Seuke 2.Yinka Salaam 3.Stuart Myall 4.Tom Graves 5.Andy Howard 6.Gavin Bolger 7.Dean Lovegrove 8.Stefan Cox (Ward) 9.Lee Farrell 10.Steve Davies 11.Gary Charman Subs: 12.Matt Geard 14.Kevin Hemsley 15.Mark Hawthorne 16.Jason Ward 17.Alan Mansfield

Reporter: Mark Wells
Photographs: John Lines

Horsham gained a first ever league point at Chelmsford with a battling display that reinforced their claim for a promotion play-off place. The Hornets had lost on each of their previous 3 visits to Chelmsford, conceding 14 goals in the process, and few could see past another comprehensive home win for the runaway leaders against a side missing 7 regulars from their line-up. With Chamal Fenelon having 'retired' from the game during the week, skipper Eddie French, Jacob Mingle, Lewis Taylor and Simon Austin suspended, Nigel Brake and Lee Carney both injured and Kevin Hemsley overseas, manager John Maggs handed immediate debuts to Gavin Bolger and Dean Lovegrove just days after signing the midfield duo from Cove and Woking respectively while Tom Graves was rewarded for some consistent displays this season with the captain's armband.

A weakened squad wasn't the sole reserve of the visitors, though, as the Clarets had to do without the services of Ollie Berquez (suspended) and the injured Lee Protheroe and Chris Duffy. The highly rated Ricky Holmes lined up in the attack no doubt hoping to show the sort of form that earned him a first ever cap for the England 'C' team earlier in the week.

Sadly there was no website representative to file a report for this game so we are grateful to the West Sussex County Times for allowing us to reproduce the following from deputy sports editor Patrick Corlett;

An excellent point was earned at runaway leaders Chelmsford City. The Hornets side was put together at the 11th hour but a goalless draw was a fair reflection of the game. Stuart Myall received a second yellow card with just a few minutes of the clock, however, the ten men of Horsham comfortably held on.

Ricky Holmes dragged a good chance off target for the hosts who also went close through a cracking volley by Bertie Brayley as Gary Charman was denied at the other end after a clever free-kick. But both defences were on top - centre backs Andy Howard and Tom Graves were commanding and Yinka Salaam had a very good game at right back.

Manager John Maggs commented: "I think it's an excellent result and it crowned a good week for the club after we won at Hornchurch. Everyone is delighted that we've come through it with four points, especially as the side has had a number of changes to it. The game itself was nip and tuck, both Chelmsford and ourselves will be happy with a point."

The hosts had a strong wind at their backs in the first half and were quick to test Paul Seuke when he parried a dipping drive from John Keeling. But after just five minutes, the visitors went close from a free-kick as Myall rolled the ball into Dean Lovegrove who flicked it on to Charman but Danny Gay was out quickly to smother. Holmes then got in behind Myall and shot across goal as Chelmsford wasted a good opening in the 11th minute.

Lee Farrell latched on to a Myall back pass but couldn't work the space for a clear chance and his effort was blocked while Charman, following up on the rebound saw his shot saved. As the game wore on, chances became few and far between. Midway through the first half Brayley fizzed a terrific volley inches wide and just before the break Howard's shot was blocked when a corner fell kindly for him. At the start of the second half Charman's shot was tipped over by Gay as the visitors were looking positive.

However, both defences dominated with attacks constantly being repelled and neither side able to create that opportunity to get the winning goal. In the 87th minute the Hornets went a man down when Myall was shown a second yellow card as he tangled with Steven Clark whilst attempting to keep the ball in.

Debutants Gavin Bolger and the busy Dean Lovegrove did well in midfield considering they had only signed for the club the day before. "It was difficult," said Maggs. "Both Gavin Bolger and Dean Lovegrove did extremely well. They've come in and didn't know anyone in the dressing room. Tom Graves and Andy Howard put in good performances, Yinka Salaam played ever so well. It was pleasing. I've got to be proud of them," stated the boss.

"They've gone out there with a side put together at the last minute and responded to everything said to them. All credit to the lads. If we have gone there with a full strength side we would have accepted a point."

NEXT MATCH: v Heybridge Swifts (h) Tuesday 26th February ko 7.45pm