Goals from Billy Clarke and Dean Bowditch gave Town's reserves a 2-2 draw at Chelmsford City for the second year running in a sometimes feisty and largely badly refereed encounter at Melbourne on Wednesday evening.

On a pitch which didn't appear to have seen a mower for a while, it took the young Town side some time to get going. In fact it was Chelmsford, whose starting line-up included former academy player Stuart Ainsley, that threatened first, hitting the post in the 23rd minute after some overplaying by Joe Clemo had surrendered possession in a dangerous area.

The Blues ought to have gone in front with their first decent move of the game, Paul Murphy and Dean Bowditch combining well to create a chance which saw Ed Upson air kick and then Kurt Robinson strike wide.

Town had what looked like a very good shout for a penalty in the 33rd minute when Dean Bowditch was sent sprawling in the area. The linesman flagged for a spotkick, but referee Rob Whitton, less well placed to see the incident, ruled against his assistant.

The game had already had more than its fair share of tasty tackles and Town midfielder Jai Reason had been spoken to on a couple of occasions, once with captain Matt Richards also called over, before the academy youngster was booked for his latest foul.

Reason himself could have justly complained at Mr Whitton's lack of action against some harsh treatment from a number of the Chelmsford players, who appeared out to rile the 18-year-old.

Town went ahead in the 40th minute when Ed Upson played in Billy Clarke and the Irishman struck a left-foot shot across the keeper and into the net.

A minute later, Upson ought to have made it two, but scraped the ball wide from a quick Town break.

At the whistle Matt Richards, reserve team coach Chris Kiwomya, then academy coach Richard Hall all remonstrated to the referee about the somewhat less than pre-season friendly approach of some of the home players and presumably the penalty decision.

Chelmsford were back on terms within four minutes of the restart. A short corner on the right led to a deep cross which Bertie Brayley headed into the roof of the net at the far post.

The young Blues were making very heavy weather of the Conference South side, despite the game having calmed down during the second period, and it took until the hour mark before Dean Bowditch hit a fine effort which was deflected wide. Soon after, Reggie Lambe came close from 20 yards, but also saw the ball fly past the post.

On 70 the home side went in front in controversial circumstances. Town keeper Lewis Ward appeared to have the ball in his control in both hands when Chelmsford striker Danny Webb headed it from the youngster's clutches and then nodded it into the empty net. The keeper and the Town defence protested, but the referee pointed to the centre spot.

Both sides made a number of substitutions as the half wore on with Chelmsford introducing former Blue Aidan Collins at centre-half.

In the 73rd minute Dean Bowditch teed up Jack Ainsley, whose brother Stuart had by now been subbed by the home side, but the academy striker's point-blank strike was saved.

A minute later the Blues should have been on terms. Paul Murphy brought the ball forward on the left, then was tripped as he entered the penalty area. This time Mr Whitton pointed to the spot. Dean Bowditch took the kick, but sent the ball wide of the post to record Town's third missed penalty of the pre-season campaign.

But Bowditch, who was less influential than he was against Bury last week but still looked more confident than he has in recent seasons, wasn't to be denied a goal. Paul Murphy produced an exquisite chip from 25 yards which beat the keeper but came off the bar. Bowditch was quickest to react and nodded the ball home.

In the final minute there was more refereeing controversy when Jack Ainsley took the ball around the keeper and appeared to be felled as he was about to stroke the ball home. However, referee Whitton was unwilling to award Town a second penalty.

All in all, a draw was probably a fair result with the Town second string generally failing to show their class against a determined and aggressive Chelmsford side. The Blues never really controlled the game as comfortably as the gulf in class would suggest they ought to have done, although neither the pitch nor the refereeing helped the game flow.

Town's first team face Donegal Celtic in the second game of the tour of Belfast on Thursday evening (KO 7.45pm), while the U18s are in Southwold for their annual friendly against Sole Bay United (KO 6.30pm).

Reserves: Ward, Clemo, Robinson, Reason (Daniels 67), Richards (Hyam 71), Watson, Lambe, Upson, Clarke (Ainsley 71), Bowditch, Murphy. Unused: Dunbar, Stensrud.

Photo: Action Images

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