After a couple of good results with a shoe string and injured squad this evening kick off saw the Manager able to start the game with 3 subs, although he was still without a keeper and this time Foster went between the sticks following on from Harris in the previous game.
Straight from the kick off Hill started the game at a high tempo moving the ball well and closing down all over the pitch and within 2 minutes Brookes had flashed down the left wing and seen an early shot saved. Chelmsford were set up well and with some real talent in the middle of the park they are a decent side who can hit you hard if you don’t concentrate and after 5 minutes a long range shot was well held by the stand in keeper.
Hill started to push forward but lost Harris early on after a blow to the gentlemen’s vegetables area saw him have to leave the field and his cutting edge was certainly missed for the rest of the game. But the gaffer shuffled the pack well and brought on the mighty Eve up front. After 9 minutes that paid dividends as Brookes broke down the left and played a ball in behind the City defence, Eve’s power and determination saw him out muscle the City defenders and finish coolly slotting the ball in the net from just inside the left edge of the area. 1-0.
Hill are playing some nice flowing football and on 13 minutes Dackombe and Johnson exchange an exquisite one – two which sees Johnson release Dackombe down the right wing his cross finds Eve but the defence block his shot. City break with speed down the left and play the ball into the middle of the park on the edge of the Hill area and a long range shot down to the left sees Foster, slip as he goes down to save it but he scramble across the goal to save well. City are looking very dangerous on the break especially down the Hill left and their talented No 8 in the middle of the park is looking like a player that Hill can’t afford to give too much time on the ball without being punished.
On 17 minutes Swan playing in a midfield role, plays a ball into Eve’s feet whose first time ball releases Brookes, who breaks free down the left but shoots from range when taking the ball into the area seemed a better option, a rare misjudgement in a good performance.
On 19 minutes a floated ball from Johnson finds Redhead who battles the defender to win the ball and give himself space to shoot but it’s deflected over.
On 24 minutes City broke down the left again and a lovely piece of football on the edge of the Hill area saw City play a fabulous one – two which saw their forward break into the area along the bye line, step inside and fire a great shot into the roof of the net past the keeper at the near post. 1-1
Hill have shown their strength of character all season and this year an opposition goal has inspired them to fight back and a minute after City scored we saw that again. Brookes dinked the ball over the defenders head on the right and turned on the after burners to outstrip him for pace pulling clear and unleashing a powerful shot which the keeper parried well but Redhead who has had his scoring boots well and truly polished this season had followed up like all top quality forwards do and passed the rebound into the net2-1
On 31 minutes the goal machine strikes again as a through ball over the City defence sees Redhead outpace the defence and a great finish sees Hill go into a 3-1 lead.
Just before the half time whistle the City No 8 picks up the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashes a thunderbolt which smashed the cross bar so hard it shook the goal, as the City No 10 Arnold tried to replicate Redheads follow up and finish Foster managed to smother the ball and Hill went in at half time 3-1 up.
The second half kicked off and Hill came out of the blocks fast with Brookes and Swann both unleashing shots at the keeper within the first minute.
Four minutes into the second half a great through ball saw Brookes race past the last defender whose clip on Brookes sees him go down just outside the area. A red card in an adult game, but I think all agreed that the ref took the right decision leaving the player on the pitch. Johnson’s low free kick under the wall was well saved by the City keeper.
Two minutes later a forward ball is brought down by Swann with his chest, his cross is cleared but it falls to Redhead on the edge of the area who smashes a toe punted shot into the net4-1.
City are still trying to play football, but King on at full back at half time is nullifying the danger down the left and City are struggling to find an outlet for their good play in midfield.
12 minutes gone in the second period and Hill win another free kick on the edge of the area, this time Redhead steps up but his well hit shot goes past the post. 6 minutes later Brookes breaks down the left, the City right back makes a fabulous tackle but the tenacious Brookes gets straight up wins the ball but can’t pick anyone out with the cross.
The Hill back four had looked solid if occasionally a little out of position, but 24 minutes in the City 15 jinked through the defence who backed off as he broke into the area, possibly not wanting to give a penalty away. The City midfielder saw himself in front of goal and smashed the ball over Foster’s head 4-2and a very uncharacteristic mistake from a back four that have been as solid as the Berlin Wall ( pre 1989) all season with centre backs Jessop and Harrison being like the Pillars of Hercules guarding the entrance to the Hill area in every game.
With 10 minutes to go in the game, Johnson plays a slide rule ball to Brookes who looks certain to score as he goes round the keeper, but the City keeper makes a great save at the winger’s feet, and within 30 seconds he makes another good save holding a shot from Swann.
City play a ball forward to their pacey forward who looks to finish a high bouncing ball but Foster is off his line quickly to save well and clatter the City forward to the ground.
With five minutes left a nice piece of interplay sees Johnson release Dackombe whose looping shot from the left goes just over the top.
City are starting to press forward trying to get something from the game and continuing to play some nice football. With the clock ticking down Dackombe breaks with pace and energy down the left his cross finds Swann but great defending from City clears the ball it falls to Ewing whose shot flies over the top.
The ref blows for full time of a competitive and entertaining match, Chelmsford City are a well organised side who play nice football and exhibit the right attitude and commitment whilst playing the game in the right way and our meetings with them this season have all been enjoyable affairs.
The win sees Hill going into the last couple of games still unbeaten in the league with the title in their own hands, but it’s still all up for grabs now and previous seasons have taught us not to count our chickens until they are stuffed cooked and on the table. The Champagne is still on the shelf but there is increasing hope that it will be put on ice soon
Next up its Bishops Stortford who will be looking to avenge the semi-final cup defeat and the Hill players will have to be fully committed and up for the game to keep the league in our own hands.