Clarets close season with disappointing defeat

10:16am Monday 28th April 2008

Ryman League Premier Division
Ashford Town (Middlesex) 4 Chelmsford City 0

Glenn Pennyfather explained the player appraisal process is underway after the much-changed champions fell to a disappointing loss at play-off contenders Ashford Town (Middlesex).

He claimed: "We know enough about their strengths so things will be confirmed soon."

Two goals in each half condemned Jeff King's team to a final-day upset at Short Lane, and his assistant Pennyfather knows the summer's wheeling and dealing can now begin in earnest.

Pennyfather admitted: "We've spoken to most of the players who know what the situation is.

"Ashford had everything to play for on the day but there will be no excuses from us. This sort of performance could have happened in any of our previous few games since we won the league, with little motivation as well as a lack of edge or intensity."

City's back four were subject to three changes for the last match of the season. Lee Protheroe came in for Steven Clark at right-back while, on the opposite side, Spencer Knight replaced Chris Duffy. A debut was handed to young ex-Chelsea centre-half Joel Kitamirike in place of Steve Ward and in midfield, Mario Noto was preferred on this occasion to Stuart Ainsley.

Kezie Ibe was also selected up-front for Bertie Brayley.

Chelmsford started the match a shade of their usual selves, as Ashford had the majority of the possession. However, Noto played a ball towards goal which Ricky Holmes chased through and forced goalkeeper Craig Ross to push round his post for a corner.

Holmes again was involved towards the middle of the half with a tame header following Protheroe's delivery to the far post. This sparked a flurry of Clarets chances that saw defender Andy Duncan head Knight's near-post corner kick narrowly over then Ibe intercepted a pass and scuffed a deflected shot wide.

But it was the hosts, building on their outside top-five chances, who took a 35th-minute lead when a foul spotted by the match officials enabled Ricky Wellard to shoot home his penalty despite the best attempts of goalkeeper Danny Gay to keep it out.

Five minutes later they built on this advantage to go further ahead through Gavin Smith as his drilled low effort found the bottom corner of the net.

Ollie Berquez tested Ross twice before the break, initially with a splendid half-volley which had to be tipped away, but Jeff King's team left themselves with it all to do in the second half.

Chelmsford didn't show any real added purpose after the interval, despite receiving a stern team talk at half time, and they fell into a more worrying deficit on the hour mark.

A back pass was collected by the grateful Smith who found himself through on goal before lifting the ball over the advancing Gay.

Not content with just that, Byron Harrison stormed through seven minutes later and slammed across the face of Gay's goal, his shot having too much pace for the City custodian to prevent it flying in.

Off-form Chelmsford ventured casually forward near the end via an Ibe looping effort which dropped onto the roof of the net, while fans' favourite defender, Steve Ward, came on as a substitute to blast over from the edge of the box.

Ashford's best efforts were ultimately denied in the league table when they finished just outside the play-off qualification places in their first season at this level. However, an uneventful half as far as City were concerned meant they signed-off the season with a defeat.

City: Danny Gay, Lee Protheroe, Spencer Knight (Stuart Ainsley 60), Andy Duncan (C) (Steve Ward 82), Joel Kitamirike, Mario Noto, Ollie Berquez, Jeff Minton, Kezie Ibe, James Lawson (Bertie Brayley 55), Ricky Holmes. Unused subs: Jason Hallett, Ashley Harrison (GK).

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