BEAVERS HELD TO 1-1 DRAW WITH CHELMSFORD CITY

Chelmsford did have their best chance of the half just before the break, when a goalmouth scramble ended up in the net — but the flag was already up.

Chelmsford made a double change at half time, bringing on Lyle Taylor and Rhys Browne, and the impact was immediate: Underwood was forced into an excellent save within the first minute, before the visitors took the lead through Kian Ronan, who headed home at the back post on 51 minutes.

The visitors stayed on top for the next 15 minutes, going close to extending their lead.

That pressure forced a double change from the Beavers, with Fonguck and Mather introduced — a substitution that would prove decisive.

The intensity lifted after that, and the two subs combined to level the game in the 73rd minute.

Fonguck slipped a great ball through for Mather, who calmly finished into the bottom corner for his second goal in as many games.

The equaliser didn’t kill the Beavers’ momentum. They continued to push for a winner, with Kretzschmar, Siziba and Akpan all going close.

In the final 10 minutes, Chelmsford found some momentum of their own, with Taylor heading over and a late corner causing a heart-in-mouth moment for the home side.

Ultimately, a draw felt like a fair result, with both sides enjoying spells of dominance.

Following a difficult start to the season, this was an encouraging performance to follow up Monday’s win.

Hampton & Richmond Borough return next Saturday at 3pm, when they host Crowborough Athletic in the FA Cup second qualifying round.