Chelmsford City

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Glenn Pennyfather

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Dover 0-1 Chelmsford

Chelmsford City's eighth 1-0 success of the season, the sixth in their last seven outings, lifted them to second place in the Blue Square South table as Rob Edmans' solitary strike helped register victory at The Crabble against fellow promotion contenders Dover Athletic, the Clarets' Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather predicting: "We're going to give someone a real bashing soon!"

The visitors dominated a gripping second half which saw Andy Hessenthaler's out-of-sorts Kent team reduced to nine men late in the contest, but Pennyfather believes it isn't this single result that makes the largest statement to City's rivals. "Our whole run over the last 18 games where we've gelled together as a team is the biggest testament," Glenn argued. "The average age of the squad is low and they still have a lot to learn so it's exciting that we've still got so much more to come. I dished out a few choice words at half-time but everybody did well and we were much-improved in the second half."

City's persistence in protecting slender leads has seen them emerge as real contenders recently and, despite Pennyfather wanting to see more of his team's openings converted, he is equally content with winning by whatever margin. He added: "We're creating so many chances and at the moment and not putting them all in, but that could change at any time and you only get three points whether you beat somebody 1-0 or 6-0. If we keep getting these results like Arsenal used to we'll be fine as they were a successful side."

The first half was naturally even bearing in mind the lofty position of the two sides involved. City had added the returning Anthony Cook on the wing and Rob Edmans up-front in place of Ricky Modeste and Antonio Murray respectively but Dover began on the offensive with an effort that dribbled across the face of goal. They also kept Clarets goalkeeper Ashley Harrison busy as he had to rush out to prevent the progress of a ball over the top while another needed palming back out by the City stopper.

Around the middle of the period a further deep pass dropped just over the head of Chelmsford defender Ben Martin and into the path of Adam Burchill, Harrison again having to parry away, though perhaps the closest either team came followed shortly afterwards. A delivery made its way into the Dover box from the left and Ricky Holmes did well to keep the bouncing ball in play. He then supplied Edmans, whose shot on the turn was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar and away by 'keeper Lee Hook.

Chelmsford wide-man Cook, back from suspension, was enjoying plenty of possession on the wing though a final ball was occasionally missing for the visitors and their last remaining first-half foray forward saw defender Mark Haines' attempt to threaten from a corner pulled-up for a foul. The competitive half, therefore, ended goalless, but after the interval it would be all one-way traffic towards the Dover goal with dramatic effect.

Just three minutes of the second period had passed before the visitors moved into the lead. Holmes was released on the right and he slid a cross perfectly into Edmans' stride, the tall front-man making no mistake in finding the back of the net from close range. This really sparked the encounter into life and a Dover ball whipped in ended-up in a near-post header wide, Dave Rainford shot unsuccessfully from the edge of the area and a Matthew Lock free-kick teed-up Edmans to head off-target all before the hour mark.

By this stage the Clarets were in full flow, seeking a potentially crucial second. Cook smashed the into the box and allowed Holmes to produce a diving header which Hook was able to cling onto then later Holmes beat his man on the left and his subsequent effort hit the post and bounced frustratingly across the goalmouth unconverted. On the other side of the pitch, the almost untouchable Holmes forced Hook into a further save, Dover's limited reply amounting to a cross which flashed across goal at the other end.

The Whites' impatience at being unable to fashion an equaliser ultimately led to two sendings off in the final quarter of an hour and added further nails to their coffin. Left-back Dean Hill cynically fouled Haines on 75 minutes and Referee Charles Breakspear showed no hesitation in dishing out a straight red card. James Rogers was next to be sent for an early bath 13 minutes later, collecting a second booking which equalled a red.

Regardless of the number of players they were facing, however, City continued to press for a killer goal and Edmans went on to hit the post and head over in the closing stages in separate strikes. Nevertheless, Pennyfather was overjoyed with a win against a team he rates highly, summarising: "Dover are still a strong side who were good when they came to us earlier in the season and I've no doubt they will be up there at the end of the season. I'm a great believer that there's good and bad times to play teams and they're going through a bit of a patch whereas we're on a good run. That showed today."

Dover Athletic 0-1 Chelmsford City

Monday 28th December 2009

The Perrys Crabble Stadium

Kick-Off 3:00pm.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Assistant Referees: Vincent Penfold and Dele Sotimirin.

Attendance: 1,261.

Click here for the official Chelmsford City FC website.