Two wins in a row now for Chelmsford City, and they were well worth the full three points as they demolished high-flying Tiverton Town on Saturday.

Paul Parker's men were quick off the mark in this clash played in biting weather conditions, taking the lead on only three minutes when Danny Slatter's centre was thundered into the net by Gary Cross via the underside of the crossbar.

Rocked by that, Tiverton took a while to find their stride, but began to impose themselves as the half went on, testing Paul Nicholls on a couple of occasions through Paul Chenoweth and a brilliant stop from a Richard Pears header.

Pears' had a second-half goal ruled out for offside, and City's desperation reached boiling point when, well into the second half, Jamie Mudge hit Nicholls' right hand post.

But City continued to play some attractive football in the middle of the park, and from such a foray they were rewarded with the second goal just 13 minutes from time. Lewis Reid's ball over the top saw Ben Foster and Chris Curran make a hash of a clearance, and Dale Watkins placed home the second with some ease.

Watkins then took a Tony Samuels pass in injury time to hammer past Foster and City had confirmed their second biggest win of the season to climb to 14th in the Dr Martens Premier.

Published Sunday, January 19, 2003