Chelmsford City 0 Southend United 1

Nikola Jozic nods narrowly off target

Of the other newcomers to the side, Nikola Jozic looked solid at the heart of the defence under Adam Barrett’s calming influence, and Mark Wright had a distinctly quiet second period on the left-hand side of a back four. Mitchell Cole was named in the second half team and impressing in his first Blues display, with Tilson once again choosing to name separate elevens for the first and second periods.

It took nine minutes for the opening shot of a disjointed start to the fixture, Clarets winger Helder Valdez volleying a cleared Jude Sterling throw-in yards over the crossbar from twenty yards. Sterling’s accuracy and distance from the touchline were an impressive feature of his game, but on the other flank, a familiar name was causing United problems.

Sam Kola-Okiolu trialled for the Seasiders second-string from Wimbledon two years ago to no great effect, and he resorted to violence when the skilful James Lawson started to make a habit of bursting past him on the City right. Lawson turned his ankle in one particularly nasty challenge, but overall he came through the first 45 minutes well, indicating that he could have a momentus season ahead.

Keita Karamoko makes a good low save from Freddy Eastwood

There was little threat from a constantly changing Chelmsford side who had four bouts of substitutions, and the best opportunity came just before the first of those, former Arsenal youngster Greg Lincoln robbing Kevin Gray of possession and teeing up top goalscorer Gary Ansell, who scuffed his low shot at Darryl Flahavan.

The former Woking custodian had to make a good dive to his right when sub Lee Williams teed up former Millwall starlet Jamie Moralee five minutes before the break, the front man curling a delicate shot towards the top left-hand corner. However, Southend remained in control, a Guttridge free-kick after Wayne Gray had been hauled down on the edge of the penalty area ending with Barrett nodding past the post and then a Smith set-piece drilled just the right of the goal from distance.

Half-time: Chelmsford City 0 Southend United 0

Tilson kept Kevin Gray and creative midfielder Smith on the field for the second half, with the latter completing 69 minutes before finally making way. It was a useful run-out, and one that seemed to pass without incident. Youngster Mitchell Cole linked up with former Grays Athletic team-mate Freddy Eastwood almost immediately, a one-two ending with the 24-goal hit-man’s shot saved at his near post by Malian international goalkeeper Keita Karamoko.

Former Barnet and Harlow Town forward Tobi Ositola then mishit a good chance straight at Bart Griemink, who effected a comfortable low save. It was the pre-cursor to Southend’s best spell, and the one that would yield the goal. Firstly Gray touched the ball into former Aston Villa man Smith’s pass, and his rasping shot from just outside the box was pushed around the post by Karamoko. Then, from Kevin Maher’s corner, the shotstopper parried out a close-range Mark Bentley half-volley.

Wayne Gray and Lewis Hunt play close attention to Craig Edwards Jnr

It was ten minutes before the hosts could offer any reply. Steve Butterworth, who had recently returned to duty on the right flank, centred for Jones Awuah to acrobatically divert the ball into Griemink’s grateful gloves. Play switched to the other end straight away, and when Cole was held back by Sterling poking a shot at he goalkeeper, most referees would have awarded a penalty kick. As it was, Chelmsford survived.

Sterling made amends of sorts when he burst forward, beating Lewis Hunt before curling a cross-cum-shot towards the bottom right-hand corner of the net that Griemink had to fingertip around the post with Phillips in close attendance. Wayne Gray then set up Guttridge, whose low cross towards Eastwood was cut out by Karamoko at his near post.

Chelmsford trialist Jordao went closest for the home side in the last fifteen minutes, curling a free-kick over the crossbar, but there was little pressure on the Shrimpers defence, and the last laugh almost went Eastwood’s way, a cross from Gray tapped across the face of goal with the net gaping ten minutes from the end. Perhaps against a lacklustre City, Southend should have added more, but this will force Tilson to up his search for a front man in the coming days.

Full-time: Chelmsford City 0 Southend United 1