Clarets end unbeaten start to season

City suffered a first defeat of the 2021-22 season at Twerton Park this afternoon in a 2-1 reversal to Chelmsford City. The visitors had shaded the opening half hour with Ryan Clarke the busier of the two keepers but the game then turned on penalty decisions at either end of the pitch. On 32 minutes Alex Fletcher’s shot was clearly blocked by Wraight’s arm but to the astonishment of all in the ground the referee did not point to the spot. Then in the final minute of the half Morgan went down under Joe Raynes’ challenge and this time Mr Whaley awarded the penalty from where Morgan made no mistake. City’s cause got even worse just three minutes after the restart as they gave possession away deep in Chelmsford’s half and a swift break ended with Dada’s low shot beating Clarke. The Clarets were now content to sit back and slow the game down which allowed City to finally get on the front foot. However, clear cut chances were hard to come by, Cody Cooke firing over after Marsden could only parry Fletcher’s crisp shot and then Harrison produced a great block to deny Cooke from close range. City finally grabbed a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Cooke powerfully heading home Marlee Francois’ cross, but there was no time after this to deny Chelmsford their first win of the season.