Ebbsfleet United 0, Chelmsford City 2
(Vanarama Conference South)
CHELMSFORD City began 2015 in style by coming home with a superb 2-0 victory from Ebbsfleet United.
The Clarets were looking to grab revenge for their 5-1 home defeat to United on Boxing Day and they did so with a battling performance.
The first chance of the game fell to Ebbsfleet midfielder Anthony Cook on 10 minutes, but he could only poke a shot wide after a mix-up in the Chelmsford defence.
City goalkeeper Bradley Watkins was then called upon to make a flying save from Anthony Acheampong, after Daryl McMahon's inswinging free-kick into the box. The Clarets custodian then made another good tip away from a Cook corner.
He added further saves from McMahon's shot from distance and a stinging effort from former Bishop's Stortford midfielder Matt Johnson. The same player drilled a shot wide of an upright on 31 minutes.
The hosts kept up the pressure as Acheampong headed wide from another McMahon set piece.
Chelmsford took the lead three minute into added time at the end of the first half. A Leon Redwood free-kick from the right was touched home by Michael Cheek, making it 18 goals for the season after his four-goal haul at Staines Town on Sunday.
On 53 minutes, West Ham loanee Jaanai Gordon forced a save from the keeper with a strike from the edge of the six-yard box.
The Clarets almost received a gift from their hosts on 69 minutes when Lee Sawyer's free-kick was headed towards his own goal by Ebbsfleet defender Kenny Clark, but his keeper tipped the ball behind.
Johnson fired a shot wide for the hosts before Chelmsford doubled their lead on 78 minutes. Rohdell Gordon's deep free-kick was headed home at the back post by Jaanai Gordon, his third goal in three games since joining City.
