Chelmsford City 1 Hemel Hempstead Town 2
Vanarama National League South 13/11/2021
Match report by Allan Mitchell
Hemel’s excellent run of form continued as they made it five games unbeaten and three wins away from home on the bounce.
They were in control of this game for the best part of 80 minutes but ended up somewhat hanging on at the death, with manager Mark Jones saying he was happy with the performance but disappointed with the way his side lost their way in the last ten minutes which could have seen them pegged back as Chelmsford piled on the pressure.
The first half saw the Tudors set the pace, taking the lead after 11 minutes when Alfie Cerulli played a neat one-two with Gus Scott-Morriss before driving the ball home.
Craig Fasanmade had a chance when he found himself in space on the edge of the box, but he shot straight at James Dillon in City’s goal.
Dillon then missed a corner that flashed across the area; Tyrique Hyde fired in a shot, but it was blocked. Hyde then popped the rebound over to the back post, where there was a bit of a scramble before Scott-Morriss arrived but hit his shot into the side netting.
Hemel were guilty of not adding to their total as the clearest chances were falling their way. Cerulli shot just wide and then saw another effort blocked when he might have been better passing inside to an unmarked Fasanmade.
City were offering little at this stage, and Hemel fans were wondering if the missed chances might come back and haunt them later in the game.
Chelmsford came out all guns blazing at the start of the second period but created little as Hemel’s backline held firm.
On 55 minutes, the Tudors finally added that much needed second goal when Fasanmade chased a long ball down the centre; he outmuscled the defender and cut inside before powering the ball home to give his side a much deserved 2–0 lead.
Chelmsford huffed and puffed but rarely troubled Nick Hayes, although he had to be alert when a long hopeful cross found a City forward at the back post. He blocked the first shot and then pushed the follow up away for a corner.
City finally pulled a goal back on 84 minutes after Hemel conceded a free-kick out on the right. It was met by Adebola Oluwo, whose header hit the bar and bounced down and over the line to give his side a much-needed lift going into the final minutes.
Ex-Tudor Charlie Sheringham had a great chance to level things up when he was sent clear, but Nick Hayes closed him down superbly and bravely, gathering the ball before the striker could tuck it home.
Hemel’s cause wasn’t helped when Dominic Morgan-Griffiths said something to the referee on 86 minutes which saw him sent off.
It was now very much end to end stuff, and Dan Wishart could have ended the visitor’s worries when he broke clear on 88 minutes, but his powerful shot was well saved by Dillon, but he could only parry it out to Fasanmade, who drove the ball back in, but he hit it straight at the keeper who gathered it safely.
As the clock ticked down, City were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box, and substitute Callum Harrison stepped up but drove the ball high over the bar, much to the relief of the Tudor Army, who had feared the worse.
Hemel then survived the five minutes of injury time without any more scares and left Essex with a deserved three points.
Mark Jones was delighted with another three points and is happy with the player’s reaction to the way he wants them to play and their application.
He was slightly concerned with the way things panned out in the last ten minutes, but it would be something they would discuss and work on. Next up are top of the table Dartford, which will be a real test on how far Jones’ squad have progressed.
Hemel: Nick Hayes, Gus Scott-Morriss, Dan Wishart, Dominic Morgan-Griffiths, Jack Westbrook, Cole Kpekawa, Tyrique Hyde, (Chris Paul), Sam Mantom, Alfie Cerulli, (Josh Castiglione) Craig Fasanmade, Joash Nembhard. Subs not used: Freddie Hinds, Aaron Simpson, Jacques Maghoma
Tudors Man of the Match: Joash Nembhard