Both sides started brightly, however it was Chelmsford City’s Kamani McFarlane who had the first opportunity of the clash, which he dragged wide before being denied by the Gulls’ goalkeeper moments later. The visitors found a breakthrough in the fifteenth minute when Leo Sery reacted quickest after a scramble in the box, slotting home in an empty goal to give the Clarets the lead.

The Gulls responded well and came close to finding an equaliser on several occasions. Chelmsford’s back-line produced a vital goal-line interception after Canvey looked set to score into an open net, before the Clarets’ number one was called into action with an excellent save to preserve the visitors one goal advantage.

Midway through the first half, Chelmsford were on the front foot again as Barbrook delivered a dangerous looking cross across the face of goal that McFarlane couldn’t reach, before the striker was picked out again only for the Gulls’ defence to stand firm. Shortly before the break, the Gulls were on the counter attack, which was cut short as the Clarets committed a cynical foul that halted the move. The resulting set-piece resulted in nothing, so Garry Kimble’s side went into the break a goal down.

Half-time: Canvey Island 0-1 Chelmsford City

The Gulls enjoyed the better of the early possession after the restart and almost levelled the scoring, only for Chelmsford’s goalkeeper to produce another important save from close range. The visitors first meaningful chance of the second half drifted narrowly wide of the left-hand post. Both sides continued to create openings, with Canvey causing more problems for the Clarets in the 66th minute, however the Gulls failed to convert a promising opportunity.

Chelmsford repeatedly caused issues for the Gulls with a series of dangerous crosses that almost resulted in a second, but the Clarets were unable to apply the finishing touch. Their best opportunity arrived in the 83rd minute where goalscorer Leo Sery struck the post after a well-worked move by the visitors.

Despite applying sustained pressure during the second half, Chelmsford defended their lead well to secure the win, and see the Gulls lose for the first-time in their pre-season campaign. Although defeat it was another encouraging performance from Garry Kimble’s side which will provide plenty of confidence ahead of Saturday’s meeting with West Ham United’s U21s.

Full-time: Canvey Island 0-1 Chelmsford City