BY LLOYD HASSELL

Second half goal from Charlie Ruff was all that separated Hampton & Richmond and Chelmsford as the Clarets came away from TW12 with 3 points.

In the opening few minutes, Jake Gray slipped Ben Seymour through on goal, but the striker’s effort deflected over the bar from Henry Gray. 

The strong start continued from the Beavers, as Seymour went one-on-one with Henry Gray, but the shot was saved. 

The visitors had their first real chance of the game, as a deflected shot from Jermaine Francis almost crept in. 

From the following corner, the ball fell to Dave Winfield, and he fired a shot at goal, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Adam Desbois. 

Halfway through the game, a wonderful cross was played into the box and Charlie Ruff’s powerful header just went over the bar for the visitors. 

Joshua Anifowose drove down the byline and played a back pass towards the edge of the eighteen-yard box, this pass found Luis Fernandez, and he rifled a shot at goal, only for the attempt to be cleared off the line. 

With ten minutes remaining of the first half, Samir Carruthers had a curling effort at goal, comfortably saved by Desbois. 

Right before the interval a set piece for Hampton & Richmond was whipped into the box, and Fernandez had another attempt at goal, from inside the penalty area, but he skewed his shot. 

The second half began, with Cameron James drilling a shot at goal, which Desbois was able to hold. 

Ben Seymour turned well in the Chelmsford City box and found Sam Deadfield, but he dragged his shot wide of the goal. 

Just after the hour mark, Chelmsford City went in front, as a cross found Ruff, who nodded the ball past Desbois to break the deadlock. 

Late on after some drama in the penalty area, Luis Fernandez heroically cleared the ball off the line, from a shot by Finley Barbrook. 

This result means that Hampton & Richmond drop to sixth, while Chelmsford City move up to third. 

Hampton & Richmond shall travel to Kent to play against Welling United on Tuesday night, while Chelmsford City will host Weston Super Mare.