Russe and Tomlinson strike to down Clarets

City recovered from a goal down at half-time to beat Chelmsford City 2-1 this evening at Twerton Park. Hyde had headed the visitors in front against the run of play but goals from Luke Russe and Ollie Tomlinson secured a deserved three points for the Romans.

City started the game brightly with Joe Raynes and Jordan Alves forcing saves from Collins in the opening fifteen minutes. On 21 minutes it looked like City had taken the lead when Collins failed to hold Alves’ free-kick allowing Scott Wilson to stab the ball home but an offside flag spared the keeper’s blushes. Five minutes later the Clarets took full advantage of this escape when Hyde lost his marker to head home Tamplin’s cross. Harvey Wiles-Richards denied the same player a second goal moments later then diverted Crichlow’s effort behind as Chelmsford enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Five minutes into the second half Wilson failed to get a close range volley on target as City began to gain the upper hand again. They suffered a blow when Alves limped off on 55 minutes and Wiles-Richards again did well to keep out Hyde just past the hour mark. The equaliser finally arrived on 66 minutes when Elliott Frear’s great cross dropped to Russe to hook the ball over his shoulder into the net. City pushed for a winner and it duly arrived with eight minutes left. Joe Raynes’ corner wasn’t dealt with by the Chelmsford defence and Tomlinson swivelled to fire home his first goal for the club.