Chelmsford Crostyx

Premier Division

A DRAMATIC late Simon Taylor goal grabbed a late win over Crostyx on Saturday. In a game that they dominated, Chelmsford looked like they would come home with just a draw before a last minute winner gave them the victory they deserved.

Both sides started the game on the offensive and there were half chances at each end within the first five minutes. Chelmsford, though, settled the quickest and strung together some promising moves without producing an end product.

Crostyx could not maintain any meaningful possession and their frustrations soon boiled over when former Chelmsford player Shuhel Malique was sin binned for dissent.

Chelmsford should have taken the lead with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. Taylor’s snap shot from a tight angle was saved on the line by the body of a Croystx defender, but the resulting penalty from Tom Fanger sailed harmlessly wide of the goalkeeper’s right post.

Further indiscipline from the home side saw another Crostyx player temporarily suspended for deliberately breaking down play as the half drew to a close, but Chelmsford could not make their numerical advantage count as they entered half time goalless.

Chelmsford continued the second half in similar fashion to the first, but were dealt a blow when first Ryan Ibbottson and then David Hunter were shown yellow cards for seemingly innocuous tackles near the half way line.

As the game reached its closing stages, both teams were showing signs of nerves but for the first time in the match Crostyx were looking dangerous on the break and almost took a surprise lead when the ball ricocheted off the post.

Several goalmouth scrambles and slices of luck in the Chelmsford area meant that they were still on level terms going into the final minute when a fast break won them a short corner. Although Adam Hunter’s deflection on the far post was well saved by the keeper, Taylor seized on the loose ball and calmly rolled the ball past the defender on the line to give the visitors the three points.

Chelmsford’s fourth consecutive victory lifts them into the top half of the table with any relegation worries all but erased. Next week Chelmsford host league leaders Peterborough. The game starts at 2pm at Chelmer Park.