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16TH November, 2008
DODDINGHURST OLYMPIC 2 : 5 CHELMSFORD CITY
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
They were billing it as the big one – last years league champions Doddinghurst Olympic played hosts to last years knock out cup winners Chelmsford City, and if the game was half as good as the last time they met then anyone watching was in for a cracker.
With less than two minutes on the clock, Doddinghurst got an important opening breakthrough with a shot going into the top of the net from the right, 0-1. Within a minute though City won a corner and following a neat one two between Tyler Bolton and Jack Nicholls the resultant cross was headed into the net by a yellow shirt, 1-1. The game calmed down a little and both teams were playing a high level of football and looking for more goals and it was Doddinghurst who again took the lead following a ball through the middle, 1-2.
What a first half, could the second half be as good? Well it could if you were a City fan.
City shuffled the pack and calmed down and started playing their normal football which brought about the equaliser via Martell Solarin, 2-2,they then quickly took the lead for the first time in the game thanks to a Ronnie Edwards strike, 3-2.There was no chance to rest in this game though and when Doddinghurst put the ball over the top of the City defence they found themselves with a one on one against the City goalkeeper and a chance to pull even, Nick Robinson thought differently though and pulled off a brilliant block to deny them the opportunity. Both teams were winning a number of corners however City were having the edge when it came to possession, one of these corners found Martell Solarin running in to power home with his head, 4-2.This was again quickly followed by a sweet through ball from Freddie Bartram that found Martell Solarin to finish off his hatrick and make the final score 5-2.
It was billed as ‘the big one’ and any neutral (do they exist in football?) watching this game would have to agree that it was a top quality game, played by two top teams and in the right spirit – as the official said ‘What an advert for junior football’.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson, Bowring.
9TH November, 2008
CHELMSFORD CITY 9 : 1 HANNAKINS FARM
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
After the minutes silence Chelmsford City welcomed newly promoted Hannakins Farm to Chelmsford, the two teams first ever meeting.
City started with a different formation to usual and with only seven minutes on the clock Hannakins Farm found themselves being squeezed in their own half and following a goal kick Nathan Fox received the ball, rounded the keeper to make it 1-0. Chris Wright made it 2-0 following a short corner, with Jake Parker nipping in the six yard box to make it 3-0. Despite being ‘put to the sword’ Hannakins were still fighting and were certainly not going to give up and got their reward for that putting the ball in the corner of the net, 3-1. Probably the goal of the game came when Jack Marlow and Nathan Fox played a number of lovely 1 2’s that finished with Nathan Fox smashing the ball in the net to make it 4-1. Just before the break Nathan Bradbury made it 5-1.
For the second half City changed the formation again and the goals kept coming, Nathan Bradbury got his second of the day, Andrew Boden hit a sweet one in the corner of the net and Martell Solarin got two, one a great lob over the goal keeper which meant the game finished 9-1.
Although City came away easy winners, hats off, must go to all the Hannakins players who battled the whole sixty minutes and were a credit to their manager.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson, Bowring.
26th October, 2008
HARTSWOOD STARS 0 : 6 CHELMSFORD CITY
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
The rain was pouring but that didn’t seem to deflate Chelmsford City or Hartswood Stars from playing a good game of football.
City started well with a number of crosses and through balls causing problems for the Hartswood defence. After eleven minutes City got the break they deserved when Jack Nicholls came in from the left to make it 1-0. A few minutes after hitting the post City won a corner which Chris Wright managed to hit home from close range, 2-0. Just before the break and following some great play from Jake Spurgeon, Nathan Bradbury got a poachers goal to finish the half 3-0 up.
Going into the second half City knew they had to try and play the ball wide as much as possible due to the pitch slowly getting ‘dug up’ and to be fair to them two of the next three goals came from the flanks. Goal four came from the central defence, to the central midfield, out wide to Nathan Fox who put over a deep cross that found Martell Solarin putting in a brave diving header, 4-0, lovely football! Nathan Bradbury made it his brace and City’s fifth, 5-0. City hit the post for the second time before Tyler Bolton came in from the left on one of his runs beating a number of players before finally being pulled down in the area, Alex Bowring then stepped up to score the penalty, his first goal of the season, 6-0.
Another three points for City in awful conditions today with some neat football thrown in for good measure, well done lads.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson, Bowring.
19th October, 2008
CHELMSFORD CITY 3 : 0 CHELMSFORD ORIENT
ESSEX COUNTY CUP – 2ND ROUND
With 109 teams from 9 different leagues the Essex County cup was something that Chelmsford City obviously wanted to progress in and with a first round bye, their second round found them up against another local team Chelmsford Orient who were representing the Blackwater and Dengie division 1 league.
City started the brighter and took the game to ‘Orient’ right from the kick off and within the first four minutes had won four corners, hit the post and called the ‘Orient’ goal keeper into a action a number of times, however despite all of this constant pressure it wasn’t until the 22nd minute when they won a free kick on the edge of the area that they managed to score with a ‘rocket’ off the right boot of Nathan Fox, 1.0. Contender for goal of the season?
City had been dominant in the first half, however with ‘Orient’ defending deep and confidently and using their fast attack for breaks, 1-0 may not be enough so it was decided the formation would be changed around, so they started the second half playing just the three at the back. Early on City had a goal disallowed, Nathan Fox then stepped up to get his and City’s second with a long distance shot, 2-0. City then had another goal harshley dissallowed. Chelmsford Orient then won themselves a penalty following a push, however the resultant kick was saved with Nick Robinson diving to his right. City were still getting plenty of the ball without the final product, a goal, until the 58th minute when Jake Parker picked up a through ball, beat the keeper and made it 3-0.
City didn’t play their usual football today but again there should be no complaints as they comfortably won their way through to the next round.
Good luck for the rest of the season to the managers and players of Chelmsford Orient in your respective league.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson, Bowring
12th October, 2008
BRENTWOOD ATHLETIC 0 : 8 CHELMSFORD CITY
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
After last weeks win the City lads travelled to Brentwood in a confident mood knowing another three points would see them remain top of the league.
Within minutes of the kick off City were already starting to take control winning every loose ball and the bulk of the tackles, it wasn’t too long before the first goal came with a long range shot from Jake Spurgeon, 0-1.This was quickly followed by a poachers goal from Nathan Bradbury, 0-2. There were no more goals in the half however City did manage to force numerous corners and with their goal keeper Nick Robinson having not too much to do they could go into the break very happy.
City came out for the second half putting Brentwood under even more pressure thanks to some quality passing, control and movement from the whole squad. The half was only three minutes old when they had extended their lead to 0-4, thanks to a goal from Martell Solarin and a second from Nathan Bradbury. Before City’s next goal from Jack Nicholls, we had two ‘manic’ goal line scrambles where both times the ball hit the post, rolled along the line but didn’t go in, 0-5, City also had a penalty which unfortunately was put wide. Andrew Boden scored from the edge of the area to make it 0-6, then following a long throw and some clean fancy footwork Jake Parker made it seven, 0-7. Just before the end Jake Parker put in a cross for Jack Nicholls to volley home his second and make the score 0-8.
Good performances again from the entire squad and another great result. Lets hope the run continues into next weeks cup game.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson, Bowring.
5TH October, 2008
CHELMSFORD CITY 5 : 0 HUTTON
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
On a wet pitch with rain still falling it was going to be one of those days when mistakes were going to be made due to the conditions but that didn’t seem to bother either side as long as they could play football.
The first half was very scrappy with neither side taking control of the game however City were forcing a number of corners. It took until the 22nd minute when Andrew Boden sent in a drive from the right and through a ‘mass’ of players found its way into the net, 1-0 The remainder of the half saw City pushing for the second but despite hitting the cross bar once the goal never came.
The second half was very different to the first with City slowly becoming more dominant and restricting Hutton to the odd chance. City got their second goal courtesy of a blast from Nathan Fox, 2-0. With the rain now beating down this was not what Hutton wanted and City quickly added to their misery when Alex Bowring won the ball and calmly slotted the low long pass through to Martell Solarin who after hassling the Hutton defence forced them to put it in their own net, 0-3. Martell Solarin then got on the score sheet himself after a run through the defence again, 4-0. Before the final whistle Tyler Bolton went on a run beating a number of players before finally being pulled to the ground on the edge of the area, Chris Wright duly put the resultant free kick into the corner of the goal 5-0, which is how it finished.
City put in a good performance today in poor conditions – well done lads.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Robinson,Bowring.
28th September, 2008
WRITTLE MINORS 3 : 6 CHELMSFORD CITY
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
Anybody who turned up to watch this match would not have predicted seeing nine goals that was a game of end to end stuff.
The game was seven minutes old when Writtle won their first corner and deservedly put the ball in the goal following some poor marking , 0-1. City responded within a minute when Martell Solarin side footed a cross into the net following a cross from Nathan Fox, 1-1. Then following some fine 1 2’s down the wing City won themselves a penalty which was put away, however, despite all players getting ready to line up for the kick off the assistant referee had spotted an encroachment and the kick was retaken, ten out of ten to the Writtle goal keeper who this time saved the kick, the game remained 1-1. With only ten minutes of the half remaining there was still time for three more goals – the first for Writtle, 1-2. And as happened earlier City went straight up the other end and were awarded a freekick that Nathan Fox put straight into the top left corner, 2-2. Just before half time Jake Parker found himself with some time out on the right to lob the goalkeeper, 3-2.
The second half was similar to the first with the long ball being played by both teams on every occasion. There were still more goals to come but the spectators had to wait until well into the game, Ronnie Edwards chested down a high ball and put Martell Solarin through who slid the ball past the advancing goal keeper, 4-2. This was followed by a George Jeakins drive into the goal after a neat cross from Jake Parker, 5-2. City were then caught ‘napping’ when they allowed Writtle to win a free ball in the middle of the park that they duly despatched into the top of the goal, 5-3. The game finished 6-3 thanks to a last minute strike from Nathan Fox.
Although City know this was not their best performance they ‘ground out’ the result that gives them the important three points.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Jeakins, Parker, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson.
21st September, 2008
CHELMSFORD CITY 7 : 0 AIM HIGH
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
Chelmsford City first home league game at their new ground and with no other league games taking place they had the chance to go top.
The first few exchanges were very even with both teams getting plenty of time on the ball and no real opportunities to take the lead. As the game wore on the only real chances were coming from the City flanks but with Aim High putting 10 orange shirts behind the ball a piece of magic was needed to break the deadlock. Enter Jake Spurgeon, who managed to twist and turn until he found himself on the edge of the six yard box and bang, 1-0. This seemed to un settle Aim High which in turn helped City and the lead was extended again via Jake Spurgeon thanks to a superb cross from Tyler Bolton, 2-0. Aim High had not given up though and just before half time won themselves a penalty which thankfully for City was put wide. City went more a less straight up the other end and following a run from Martell Solarin who squared the ball to Nathan Fox to make it 3-0.
Although not firing on all cylinders, this was a vast improvement on last week from City and in the second half they become dominant restricting Aim High to long balls over the top, one of which see them rattle the cross bar. City were looking for more goals and it didn’t take long to come, following a corner Ronnie Edwards made it 4-0, he then made it 5-0 with his head and then saving the best to last he blasted the ball from the corner of the area to get his first competitive hat trick in the claret shirt and see City go 6-0 up. City had a few more chances but had to wait until the end when Nathan Fox threaded Tyler Bolton through to grab the seventh goal, 7-0, which is how it finished.
Today saw the strength of the squad, with a number of minor injuries and people coming off there was never any concern on who was playing where, and with a chance to go top of the league they took it.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox, Edwards, Solarin, Bowring, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson.
14th September, 2008
BADDOW SPARTAK 1 : 4 CHELMSFORD CITY
CHELMSFORD YOUTH LEAGUE
With pre season now well and truly over it was down to the important stuff, The Chelmsford Youth League started with a very ‘tasty’ match up – last years 2nd and 3rd place were to meet which looking at history normally produces a good match.
The game was not even two minutes old when Baddow won their second corner of the game and while the City players watched the Baddow lads poked the ball in the net, 0-1.The rest of the half although end to end stuff produced no real goal scoring chances for either team, however Baddow had crowded out the midfield, took command and forced a number of corners. With City being restricted to a handful of chances from the flanks.
The second half started the same as the first with a very quick goal, this time though it was to be City who got it thanks to a long range shot from Jack Nicholls following some tricks and turns down the left wing from Tyler Bolton, 1-1. Tyler Bolton carried on causing problems for the Baddow defenders and when he was pulled to the floor, Nathan Fox stepped up to score from the resultant free kick, 2-1. Nathan Fox then turned provider and put Martell Solarin through who got his first goal, 1-3. City were now having the bulk of the play in this half, the opposite to the first and with a few minutes left Martell Solarin stepped up again to score his second and see City end victorious with a 4-1 result.
After an awful first thirty minutes today City managed to ‘up’ their game to were it should be and completely turn the match around and come away with a deserved three points.
SQUAD - Jeakins, Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Parker, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox , Edwards, Solarin, Bowring, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson.
7th September, 2008
CANVEY ISLAND TOURNAMENT (11 a side)
Chelmsford City travelled to Canvey Island to defend their title that they had won for the last two seasons – could it be three on the trot?
GROUP – REDBRIDGE UNITED – WON – 1 : 0 – A team City hadn’t played since mini soccer. So two good teams were to meet right at the start of the tournament and with only one out of five teams going through from their group to the final this was to be an important opener. Redbridge had the bulk of the play in the first half but things slowly turned in favour of City in the second with a goal early on from Martell Solarin. The rest of the game was end to end stuff with no real goal scoring opportunities.
GROUP – ECKO WHITECAPS – WON – 1 : 0 – City got their second win of the tournament thanks to a goal from Chris Wright following a goal mouth scramble. Just before the end of the game Martell Solarin managed to shrug off a couple of tackles and get in a shot but unfortunately it hit the post and came back out to the goal keeper.
GROUP – BENFLEET B – WON – 9 : 0 – City went on a goal fest with the goals coming from Nathan Bradbury 3 including 1 lob over the goal keeper, Ronnie Edwards 2 including I strong header, Nathan Fox with 2 long distance drives, Tyler Bolton also with a long distance shot and a poachers goal from Jake Parker.
GROUP – BEALONIANS – WON – 3 : 1 – City’s worst performance of the day, but no complaints as they got the result they needed. Nathan Bradbury opened the scoring, 0-1. However, in the second half Bealonians took advantage of some awful play from City to pull the game back to 1-1. City supporters then had some anxious moments with Bealonians pushing for a second, but the luck went City’s way when following a run from Tyler Bolton ending in him being pulled to the ground, Chris Wright stepped up to the penalty spot to make it 2-1. Then with the nerves settled Nathan Fox made it 3-1 and the final beckoned
FINAL – CONCORD – WON – 1 : 0 – The hardest game of the tournament and the trickiest due to Concord playing with four lads up front with no offside rule!. In the first half Concord’s tactics was working well and really putting City on the back foot but again things changed in the second half. City had a number of chances to score but the only goal of the game came via Nathan Bradbury as the game finished 1-0 to the City boys. So, City were crowned winners of the Canvey Island tournament for the third year running – no easy task at any level. Well done lads, what a squad.
SQUAD - Jeakins, Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Parker, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox , Edwards, Solarin, Bowring, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson
5th September, 2008
HOWBRIDGE SWIFTS U13s 0 : 4 CHELMSFORD CITY
FRIENDLY
Chelmsford City played their latest pre season friendly against Howbridge Swifts, and thanks to Howbridge the game was to be played under floodlights at Witham Town’s ground. By playing up a year City knew they would be in for a little more physical game than they are used to which in turn would be a good test for them.
Howbridge kicked off and straight away they were put on the back foot with the claret shirts bearing down on them. The first few minutes of the game were very much both teams trying to find their feet and impose their particular style of play on the opposition. However, in the 5th minute following a through ball from Tyler Bolton, Nathan Bradbury managed to fend off two defenders and blast the ball in the corner of the net, 0-1. As the half wore on City slowly started to dominate more and gain the bulk of the possession and they got their reward with a second goal courtesy of a Howbridge defender putting a Nathan Fox shot into his own net, 0-2.
In the second half City carried on improving their passing and movement causing holes to appear in the strong Howbridge midfield and defence, but they could not rest as Howbridge had shuffled their lads around and had put a very fast player coming out of midfield and joining the attack on every occasion, twice City nearly got caught but thanks to some good goalkeeping from Nick Robinson and some solid defending they never really looked like scoring. At the other end, another through ball, this time with Jake Parker getting on the end of a Ronnie Edwards pass to make it 0-3. Martell Solarin then managed to twist and turn round a number of tackles before calmly putting the ball to his left where Jack Nicholls came running in to slot the ball in the corner to make it four, which is how the game finished, 0-4.
Many thanks to Howbridge for arranging this game, and well done to all 15 City players for a ‘top drawer’ performance.
SQUAD - Jeakins, Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Parker, Bartram, Boden, Wright, Fox , Edwards, Solarin, Bowring, Spurgeon, Marlow, Robinson.
31st August, 2008
The second weekend of their warm up games for the forthcoming season saw Chelmsford City travel to Cherry Hinton in Cambridgeshire to enter their first 11 a side tournament of the season.
GROUP – BAR HILL COLTS – DREW – 1:1 – Bar Hill are one of the strongest teams in the area and with this being the opening game of the tournament, it was a game neither team wanted to loose. City were still asleep when Bar Hill broke the dead lock and slotted the ball home 0-1. City had to wait until the second half to get the equaliser thanks to a lob over the goal keeper from Nathan Bradbury, 1-1.
GROUP – COTTENHAM COLTS – WON – 3 : 0 – City upped their game and came out worthy winners with goals coming from Tyler Bolton, Martell Solarin and Nathan Fox.
GROUP – CHERRY HINTON B – WON – 8 : 0 – City seemed to go up another gear and following three first half goals from Jack Marlow, Jack Nicholls and Freddie Bartram City changed from their usual formation for the second half. However, the fluent passing and great teamwork continued with an additional five more goals (Andrew Boden, Chris Wright, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Bradbury and Freddie Bartram) in seven and a half minutes see them send out a message to their A team that were waiting in their next game.
GROUP – CHERRY HINTON A – WON – 3 : 0 – A win would guarantee City a place in the final, so with a very early goal coming from Martell Solarin, the nerves for the travelling supporters were put at ease (slightly) 1-0 Martell Solarin then stepped up to score his and the teams second, 2-0 just before the break, with Andrew Boden making it 3-0 in the second half.
FINAL – BAR HILL COLTS – WON – 1 : 0 - City were to finish the day playing the same team that they had started the day against, Bar Hill Colts. However, this game was going to be different to the first with City spending most of the first half camped in Bar Hill’s half of the pitch. After five minutes, following a corner Jack Nicholls found himself in the right position to volley the ball home, 1-0. The second half was a lot closer but City looked more like increasing their lead than letting Bar Hill back into the game so when the final whistle blew the celebrations could start as yet again City had visited a different county (Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire) and come away worthy winners.
SQUAD - Wright, Nicholls, Solarin, Marlow, Bartram, Bolton, Bradbury, Fox, Robinson, Parker, Boden, Spurgeon, Edwards.
Quote from the final’s referee to our squad of players – ‘We’ve got good teams in Cambridgeshire, but most are arrogant. You’re a very good team with a good attitude, good sportsmanship and your quality of football is first class’.
24TH August, 2008
FRIENDLY FIXTURE
Chelmsford City started the season with a friendly against Professional Football Academy from Southend. It was agreed at the start that we would play 3 x 20 minute periods.
Within minutes it was obvious that both teams had come to play football and not ‘hoof ball’ with both teams wanting to keep the ball and in turn try and carve out the opening goal. For City they didn’t have to wait too long courtesy of a cross from Martell Solarin that PFA had to defend but unfortunately for them put in their own net, 0-1. Martell Solarin then got on the score sheet himself, 2-0. Just before the break Jake Spurgeon made it 3-0.
The second period had a lot more goal area action for both teams, with City also gaining a lot more possession. Goal number four was again from Martell Solarin, 4-0. PFA then managed to get one back, 4-1, this only spurred on City who responded with two more quick goals by the Nathan’s – Nathan Fox, 5-1, and Nathan Bradbury, 6-1. Following a rare corner from PFA they were awarded a penalty following a blatant hand ball which reserve keeper George Bass saved on his debut. Martell Solarin managed to get his hat trick before the end to take the score to 7-1.
Both teams came out for the third period looking tired but still wanting to play good passing football to entertain the supporters. With just one more goal coming from Tyler Bolton the game finished 8-1.
This was a good warm up for City with all eleven players putting in good performances – Thanks must go to PFA for travelling over to Chelmsford.
SQUAD - Nicholls, Bolton, Bradbury, Parker, Bartram, Wright, Fox , Solarin, Spurgeon, Marlow, Bass.
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