This was the first time I had visited Chelmsford's Melbourne Park stadium, and is likely to be the last. After ground sharing with first Maldon, and then Billericay, they now share with the local Athletic Club. The ground has a half decent main stand, but the rest is typical non-league, and would need an awful amount spent on it if they are to achieve their ultimate ambition of becoming a league club.

As for the pitch, plenty of grass and bobbly, would best describe it. In fact the pitch turned out to have a big influence on the game. Even though dominating the first 20 minutes, we weren't at our fluent best, and then we find ourselves a goal down. A shot out of the blue, a hammer blow, like a javelin through the heart. The rest of the half continues the same way. Plenty of possession, but guilty of over playing, or a poor final ball.

At half-time I was still confident of a result from the game, but the next goal was going to be vital. Then again against the run of play Simmonds gets his and Chelmford's second, with a goal reminiscent of our own Dave Simmons goal against Leeds in 1971. U's fans stunned, not quite believing what was happening.

Finally realising the pitch is not for playing their quick passing game, we go more direct, and get a goal back with a sweetly taken free-kick from Rose. If there was to be another goal in the game it had to be from us. Wrong. Done by another counter-attack. Game over.

So another exit in the first round of a cup competition, and beaten by a non-league team for the umpteenth time. There has been the predictable criticism of the team, though without taking anything away from Chelmsford, I thought the result flattered them. We were not at our best, but at no time were we under any sort of pressure. Chelmsford just got the basics right. Took their chances, and defended their box well. Whereas we defended the first two goals poorly, and going forward, despite all our possession, we rarely tested their keeper, due mainly to a poor final ball.

The last time we had a result as bad as this, the 4-1 defeat by Bedlington Terriers, we played Notts County next and won 3-1. Let’s hope for more of the same on Tuesday.

Photo: Action Images

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