Barrie's super strike sees off Clarets

A superb strike from Barrie Matthews 10 minutes from time settled this lively encounter at the Beveree, sealing the Beavers' third win in succession - for the first time this season - and making Chelmsford wait to clinch their place in the play-offs, writes Daryn McCleave.

On a fine clear evening, the visitors from Essex needed only a point to guarentee their position in the top five but, realistically, they were chasing three to move into second place ahead of Dover Athletic to secure home advantage in the end-of-season promotion lottery.

And the Clarets, wearing their changed strip of white, made their intentions clear early on, launching an attack in the opening minute, resulting in livewire right winger Anthony Cook flashing a shot just wide of Hampton keeper Matt Lovett's right-hand post.

Chelmsford continued to look for an early breakthrough, and again Cook was involved, linking up with danger man Ricky Holmes.

When the latter went down in the box under the slightest of contact from the Beavers' Chris Robinson, the referee waved away the travelling support's appeals for a spotkick.

Hampton responded and, on seven minutes, a fine ball from Ian Hodges sent strike partner Lawrence Yaku racing through on goal, but slight hesitancy from the veteran enabled City stopper Ashley Harrison to make a block with his legs.

The home side, too, had penalty appeals soon afterwards, when Dave Tarpey went down under pressure, but again the man in black, Mr Foley, took no notice.

Chelmsford had a good chance when a cross from the left by Ollie Berquez found Anthony Finn unmarked in the box, but his header was held gratefully under the bar by Lovett.

The game was fairly even, with both sides looking dangerous and, indeed, it was Hampton who struck first in the 21st minute.

This time, Yaku turning provider, prodded the ball on for Tarpey, who just managed to beat Harrison to the ball, before slotting it into the net at the second attempt.

The match was turning into an entertaining affair, and the goal seemed to enhance that with the high-flying visitors looking for an immediate response to going behind.

A defensive mix-up led to a City corner, which Craig Dundas had to hack away from danger, and, as Chelmsford forced a number of corners, Hampton's captain marvel Dean Wells had to clear off the line from Dave Rainford's close-range effort.

As half-time approached, the Beavers managed to create one last chance, a long corner by Tarpey finding Dean Inman at the far post, but he couldn't direct his header on target.

Mr Foley then blew for the interval as Hampton were no doubt happy with their 45 minutes' work.

The opening five minutes after the break were a little scrappy, perhaps both sides trying to figure out what the other's intentions were, but it was perhaps no surprise when the Essex outfit began to dominate possesion in their quest to get back on level terms.

A long free-kick from Rainford had to be touched over the bar by Lovett, but Hampton then caught City on the break, Tarpey chasing down a long ball from Wells, before laying off to Loius-Rae Beadle - making his first home start - and his low effort was well held low down by Harrison.

From the resulting clearance by the Clarets keeper, Finn found himself with a glimpse of goal, but could only manage to fire his effort straight at Lovett.

On the hour-mark, though, Chelmsford came as close they had done so far, Holmes showing nice trickery to make space for an effort on the right hand side of the box, his thunderous strike skimming the Beavers bar before being cleared for a corner.

That was well delivered into the box by Rainford and somehow evaded everyone before bouncing out for a goalkick.

The visitors made a baffling change soon after, replacing the pace and trickery of Cook for the gangling figure of Rob Edmans.

No doubt Chris Robinson was pleased to see the back of Cook, who had proved a constant threat.

By this time, the game was end to end, neither set of supporters being able to take their eyes away from the pitch, the next chance falling to Yaku, who again forced a low save from Harrison, but back came Chelmsford, Holmes seeing a shot flash across the the face of goal, and Lovett quick to react with Edmans bearing down on goal.

Alan Devonshire made a tactical change as the visitors threatened to overrun the Beavers, replacing the hardworking but tiring Tarpey for extra defensive cover in Orlando Jeffrey in the 75th minute.

But no sooner had Jeffrey entered the field, Chelmsford found the equaliser they had been threatening.

Good work down the right resulted in Warren McBean, on loan to the Clarets from Bromley, laying a ball across goal for that man Holmes to powerfully side foot home past a helpless Lovett.

With 14 minutes left to go on the clock, there seemed plenty of time for City to stamp their authority on the game and seek a winner.

But that's not how it turned it out, Hampton getting themselves back on the attack in search of their own winner.

And, only four minutes after being hauled back level, a long throw into the box by Wells was partially cleared to just outside the box, where Matthews was waiting, and the right-back took one touch to control the ball before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot beyond the despairing dive of Harrison, and in off the post to cue wild celebrations, Matthews running around the goal and penalty area at least twice by my reckoning!

Three minutes later, he almost got a stunning second, great work from Beadle found Matthews pop up down the left this time, before thundering another long-range effort but this time it flew narrowly over the bar.

Rainford responded, hitting an effort just wide, but Chelmsford seemed to have accepted their fate by now, as it was Hampton who looked to kill the game off, Dundas being denied in the four minutes of stoppage time by another good save from Harrison.

The final whistle brought a great cheer around the ground as Alan Devonshire celebrated his birthday in style by lifting the Beavers up to 14th in Blue Square South, the highest position of 2010 so far.

The players and supporters can now have an enjoyable trip to the seaside this coming Saturday when Weymouth stand in the way of a fourth win on the trot.

HAMPTON: Lovett; Robinson, Inman, Wells (c), Matthews; Beadle, Lake, Dundas, Yaku, Tarpey (sub 75, Jeffrey); Hodges (sub 88, Quashie).

NOT USED; Beckford, Kanjor, Witham

GOALS: Tarpey 21, Matthews 80

Attendance: 510