Clarets' title hopes vanish

From the archive, first published Sunday 15th Apr 2007.

Chelmsford City 1, Margate 3

Clarets will have to make do with the play-offs at best this season after a disappointing home defeat against a decent Margate side.

Without their first-choice front two of Lee Boylan and Kezie Ibe through suspension and an ankle injury respectively, the Clarets suffered at the hands of former striker Danny Hockton who netted once in each half to take his personal haul for the campaign to thirty-nine goals.

Some hesitant early defending from the Clarets was eventually punished in the 18th minute via Hockton, who kept his balance in the penalty area to touch James Hawarth's right-wing cross past returning goalkeeper Richard McKinney.

Chelmsford lacked up-front in comparison and fell further behind on 33 minutes when the back-line were again caught-out and James Pinnock managed to shoot on the turn past the exposed keeper along the floor and into the net.

The home side started brighter after the interval though Hockton was fouled just outside the area for a 51st-minute free-kick which he took himself and rifled into the top corner in search of his fifth hat-trick this season.

He wasn't able to finish that task, and Ricky Holmes netted a consolation goal for Jeff King's team a minute into injury time from Hallett's cross, though Chelmsford will have to make do with a tense knockout finish to their season if they are to achieve a place in the Conference South.