CHELMSFORD CITY 5 DOVER 2

Monday, October 11, 2004

By KEVIN HARRIS

Whites again sacrificed three valuable points after making numerous defensive mistakes, to gift a very ordinary Chelmsford side five goals. The home side did want the win more than the Whites, but they would not have scored this number of goals without the help of the Dover back-line. Caretaker Manager Gary Whittle stuck with the same side that performed well against Salisbury a couple of days before, but all the hope and optimism that that game had brought was extinguished on a cold night in Essex.

It was the home side that started the game the better, as they worked hard to close the Whites down and tried to push forward through the weak defensive line. However, for all their opening period possession, they were unable to create a chance before their first goal. The ball was crossed into the box from the right wing, and Shane Hamshare handled at the back post. Chelmsford keeper Paul Nicholls game up to take the penalty, and he blasted it home.

Although Gary Cross went close for Chelmsford moments afterwards, Dover seemed to start playing once they went a goal behind. A good passing move throughout the whole team culminated in Skelton shooting over, and then when the ball was played to Wilkins with time in the area, the large travelling contingent thought that the equaliser had arrived. However, the striker is low on confidence at the moment, and he curled his shot wide.

The Whites drew level though with 24 minutes on the clock. Skelton's shot was deflected over for a corner, and as this corner was cleared, the ball fell to Kevin Lott. He outmuscled his marker, and shot probably the goal of the season home from 30-yards. Whites were dominating play at this time, and almost took the lead soon after. A Cloke free kick was deflected up in the air, and Wilkins' header across the box was cleared off of the line before Shane Hamshare could get there.

However, the final 15 minutes of the half belonged to Chelmsford. Gary Cross saw his rebound shot excellently saved by Kevin Readings after the home side had hit the post, and then Lee Williams was left completely free at the back post at a corner, but fortunately miss-hit his shot well wide. Yet it was not long before the Whites conceded the goals that basically put the game out of their reach. George Lay was allowed to move through the defence with ease, and calmly shot home.

He could have had another moments afterwards, when Readings saved his shot, though passing to the unmarked Steve Butterworth who was free in the box would have been the better option. A mix up between Sam Vallance and Kevin Readings should have led to the third goal, as the ball fell to Butterworth to stroke into an empty net, however, he managed to hit the post when scoring looked the easier option.

But just on the stroke of halftime the third was scored. This time it was Gary Cross who was allowed the freedom of the Dover defence, and he rounded the keeper and slotted into the open goal.

Whites came out for the second half invigorated, and the game could have turned on the strength of the referee's decisions. Michael Smissen had his legs blatantly taken from under him in the box, but the official decided that there was nothing wrong with this, and this decision could have turned the game. Three minutes later, Smissen was again fouled in the area, when Russ Edwards climbed on top of him, but again no foul was given to the dismay of the visiting fans.

Had either of these decisions gone with the Whites, then the game could have swung our way. However, just after the hour mark, Chelmsford made the game safe. Sammy Cooper was given the freedom of the penalty area, and had all the time in the world to pick his spot and slot the ball home.

Tom Hickman was immediately introduced, which at least gave the side some fight, and a couple of chances did present themselves. A delightful Wilkins cross couldn't be steered home by Smissen, before Wilkins himself shot wide. Yet the home side scored their fifth after 75 minutes. Superb solo work by Gary Cross down the right flank meant he was able to bypass the Whites defenders, and he crossed for Gary Ansell, who was free at the near post.

Whites did score a consolation with ten minutes to go, to reduce the deficit slightly, as a Hickman cross was deflected up in the air for Wilkins to head over the keeper, but it was too little too late. Hickman had a couple of chances himself in injury time, but unfortunately Gary Whittle's caretaker reign ended in disappointment. His short time in charge has been fairly successful to an extent, as he stopped the rot that had set in before, and a number of promising youngsters have been blooded. However, new manager Steve Browne needs to do more than this if we are to push up the table. On the evidence of this performance, there is a lot that needs to be done, but as supporters we need to rally behind the new man, and if we all work together then we should be able to rescue the situation.

Chelmsford:
Paul Nicholls, Liam Hopkins, Steve Norman, Simon Clarke (Wes Faulkener 78 mins), Russ Edwards, Lee Williams, Gary Cross, Sammy Cooper, Gary Ansell (Kevin Budge 82 mins), Steve Butterworth (Darren Sarll 68 mins), George Lay.
Subs:
Darren Sarll, Wes Faulkener, Kevin Budge, Ben Crew, Stuart Crumpen.

Dover Athletic:
Kevin Readings, Lee Scott, Rob Smidmore, Sam Vallance, Craig Cloke, Nick Humphrey, Kevin Lott, Shane Hamshare (Tom Hickman, 66mins), Craig Wilkins, Dale Skelton (Dave Clifford, 46mins), Michael Smissen (Chris Wright, 76mins).
Subs:
Tom Hickman, Chris Wright, Dave Clifford, Gary Wood, Pat Mullin.
Bookings:
Dale Skelton (28mins), Craig Wilkins (56mins)