An improved second-half performance saw Town come back from a 2-0 first half deficit to earn a deserved draw with Chelmsford City at Melbourne Park.
Town saw the best of the early chances with Trotter through on goal after two minutes, only for his shot to be parried by the Chelmsford keeper.
Three minutes later, Billy Clarke produced a good long range shot which the Chelmsford keeper did well to tip behind with a stretching save. The home defence was tested a couple of more times before, on 16 minutes, a mix-up between Wilnis and Synnott led to Kezie Ibe picking up the ball on the left of the Town box and curling a shot into the top corner of the net.
Shortly after the restart, some good play by Sito - playing in the right midfield position - led to a Town corner. The corner kick was cleared but Town kept the pressure on and Trotter picked up on a loose ball and broke through on goal. The Chelmsford glovesman stood up well however and denied him an equaliser.
Another attack by Chelmsford on 25 saw another defensive lapse which led to a low shot from Jamie England beating Town keeper Andy Plummer once more.
Shortly afterwards, the pacy Chelmsford forward threatened once more, but a solid saving tackle from Sylvain Legwinski thwarted his goalward journey. Few more chances came Chelmsford's way before the break whilst a scuffed Clarke effort and a mazy run through the Chelmsford defence from Trotter looked promising before he lost the ball in the opposition box.
The second half brought about a couple of Town substitutions with Robinson replacing Legwinski and Rhodes coming on for Roberts. The Blues now looked more dangerous in attack and another good effort by Clarke produced another good save from the Chelmsford keeper.
Rhodes shot over shortly afterwards but his best chance came on 51 minutes with an effort the keeper managed to get a hand to and as the ball trickled just wide of the foot of the post. Synnott raced in but could not quite get to the ball before it rolled out of play.
On 56, Town were gifted an own goal when the Chelmsford centre-back, Duncan looped an attempted back header over his own keeper and the ball bounced into the Chelmsford goal.
Four minutes later, Synnott put in a good cross from the left which Rhodes just failed to get on the end of in front of goal. A couple of more Town substitutions saw Jai Reason replace Wilnis and Smith replace Synnott.
Town were now enjoying the better of the play, and on 70 minutes, Trotter headed wide. Two minutes later, Trotter again was almost gifted a chance after the keeper fumbled the ball.
Soon after, Chelmsford had a chance to make it 3-1 with a goal-bound shot which was hooked away by Reason.
A final Town substitution on 80 minutes saw Upson replace Clarke. As it looked as if the game would end 2-1, Town mounted one last attack and Sammy Moore tucked away a good finish to level the game on 88 minutes.
After the final whistle, the coaching staff kept the players on the pitch for a warm-down, sending the squad on a quick jog around the pitch. It seems fitness is something Jim Magilton is placing an emphasis on in this year's pre-season preparations and let's hope this pays off with an explosive start to the season.
As the team left the pitch, I managed to grab a quick word with the manager and asked him what he thought of the team's performance: "I felt we deserved something from the game, and thought the lads played much better in second half”, said Jim Magilton.
Town: Plummer, Casement, Synnott (Reason), Wilnis (Smith), Naylor, Legwinski (Robinson), Sito, Moore, Clarke (Upson), Trotter, Roberts (Rhodes).
Thanks to TWTD Message Board regular Blueas for the detailed report.
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