GEORGE Bennett celebrated his first ever start for Basingstoke Town with a goal in their excellent 2-0 victory at Chelmsford City.

It meant the Dragons finished their disappointing National League South campaign on a high with two wins in their final two games.

Manager Terry Brown made four changes to the side which won at home to Truro City last weekend. With Bennett, Dan Lincoln, Nathan Smart and Guri Demuria all coming into the starting XI at Chelmsford.

The home side had the first chance of the game, after Bagasan Graham’s cross was knocked down by Billy Bricknell and just when Luke Daley looked set to score, his shot was blocked by Town captain David Ray.

City then threatened again from Lee Sawyer, but it came to nothing, before a Louie Soares’ shot landed on the roof of the net.

As was the case against Truro, the Dragons allowed Chelmsford more of the possession, but they were unable to engineer any clear cut chances.

The home side then fell behind after 20 minutes, as Daley’s loose back pass was seized upon by striker Liam Enver-Marum and he in turn fed Player of the Year Soares who produced an excellent finish.

The Dragons so nearly added a second shortly afterwards, but Simon Dunn’s effort was pushed wide by Clarets goalkeeper Christian Dibble.

However, a mistake from Dibble was pounced on by Bennett as the youngster fired into an empty net for his first senior goal for the club after 38 minutes.

After the break, the home side tried to get back into the game, but the Dragons back line looked solid and with Dunn running the midfield, they had the better chances as Enver-Marum went close from an acute angle.

Then on the hour mark, Tom Bird was able to make good progress down the left wing and found Aaron Jarvis, who looked set to score his first senior goal for Town until Marvin Ekpiteta made a super block.

Jarvis then had another chance, but this time Dibble made a great finger tip save.

As the game came to a close there were no more chances and Town took the win and collected their third clean sheet on the trot.

However, it did not stop them finishing bottom of the National League South and also going down with them will be Hayes and Yeading, along with Hampshire rivals Havant and Waterlooville.

Today many of the first team players will be back in action at the Camrose as part of a special charity match in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust and Crohn’s Colitis UK. Gates open at the ground at 1pm and kick-off is at 3pm.