City start and finish strong in Clarets win

An early goal from Scott Wilson and a late strike from substitute Tom Smith secured a hard-fought 2-0 win for City against Chelmsford City at the Melbourne Stadium this afternoon. With just seven minutes on the clock Dan Hayfield burst forward down the right flank before setting up Wilson to fire home from 15 yards. Two minutes later a dipping effort from Cody Cooke was tipped over by Marsden as City looked to build on this great start. The hosts replied with two shots from a well-placed Krasniqi that failed to trouble Max Harris before Marsden got down well to block Cooke’s 18th minute shot at his near post. Although both sides were looking to quickly get the ball forward at every opportunity neither could fashion any further clear-cut chances during the first half. The first opening of the second half saw James Morton test Marsden with a long-range effort on the volley but it was the Essex side who began to get on top in search of an equaliser. However, they found the Romans backline in imperious form, blocking efforts from Krasniqi, Jackson – Yearn firing the rebound wide – and Alfa. And with three minutes left City made sure of the win when the Clarets failed to deal with a ball forward allowing Smith to shoot past Marsden from 18 yards.