Chelmsford Sport
Welling United 1 Chelmsford City 1
11:46am Monday 30th January 2012
MANAGER Glenn Pennyfather welcomed the addition of a “hard-earned point” to Chelmsford City’s Blue Square Bet South total as Max Cornhill’s first-half header was cancelled out by Loick Pires in the first half, keeping both sides in the promotion chase.
The hosts were reduced to ten men when player-manager Jamie Day was dismissed around the hour mark for a rash challenge.
But Pennyfather was aware of the significance of his fourth-placed team’s efforts, saying: “It’s not an easy place to come to, Park View Road, as they’ve got a good record here.
"Woking didn’t come away from here with anything, so I guess that’s a yardstick and this was a very hard-earned point.”
He had to shuffle his defence when Adam Tann was ruled out through injury, meaning right-back Justin Miller moved into the centre and the capable figure of Ben Nunn filled the resulting gap.
Last week’s two up-front reverted back to one, meaning Craig Parker lined up in the centre of midfield and Cliff Akurang moved to the bench. Warren Whitely replaced Kevin McLeod on the left wing.
It was a change to an established defence, but Glenn said: “Justin’s played games at centre back in the Football League and I was pleased that Nunny came in and did well as he’s been a victim of how the defence have been performing and has had to be patient. I know they were disappointed not to keep the clean sheet.”
The Clarets started well in a frenetic opening spell and were able to secure a 14th-minute advantage.
Chelmsford forced a corner on the right wing which full-back Aiden Palmer swung into the goalmouth and it landed to far post where Cornhill was waiting to angle a header beyond goalkeeper John Whitehouse into the net.
Chances were limited for both sides to score during a competitive first half but Welling snatched a leveller on 41 minutes.
The Wings won the ball in midfield and Jack Obersteller was involved in the build-up as a left-wing delivery picked out Pires and he hooked his shot to finish off at the near upright.
Two minutes before the hour point a crucial moment arrived when Day’s foul on Cornhill in the centre of the park resulted in his red card.
Glenn reacted: “I don’t think they could have argued with the sending off. You don’t have to break someone’s leg to have committed a dangerous tackle. The ball had gone.”
From that point City felt the momentum swing in their direction as they pushed for a winner against ten men, Miller seeing a header cleared off the goal line in the 66th minute.
However, the best chance on 88 minutes was squandered when the impressive Ricky Modeste crossed for David Rainford to head wide.
The Clarets also found the net in the final throws, only to see it disallowed for offside.
City’s record 18-match unbeaten away run was extended, Glenn adding: “We were disappointed not to get three points but they’re unbeaten at home and we’re unbeaten away, so there was some predictability about the result!
"We were caught in possession for the goal and had some good opportunities to win in the second half.
"We just never got that final pass away after overloading them with bodies going forward.”