Our young Blues were looking to bounce back from defeat on matchday one as they welcomed RB Salzburg to Cobham on Wednesday afternoon.

The only real chance of the first half fell to Jude Soonsup-Bell, as he could only divert his volleyed attempt from Leo Castledine’s cross over the bar. Besides that, the first period consisted of our young Blues controlling possession for large periods without troubling the away side’s defence.

The second half had a greater intensity and that was highlighted by the increased number of openings we managed. Jimi Tauriainen and Charlie Webster both had sights at goal which went close, but it was Lewis Hall who broke the deadlock with some individual brilliance.

For the majority of the game we were the dominant side and on another day,we would have scored more goals but the away side bounced back to level through Federico Crescenti, who slotted home after being put through on goal.

Team news

There were two changes made by Ed Brand to the side who played Dinamo Zagreb last week as Webster returned from injury and Travis Akomeah was given a start at the heart of a back three.

Positive beginnings

We almost got off to the perfect start as captain Bashir Humphreys connected well from a corner but his goal-bound effort was cleared away. Similar to our first game of the group stage, we started the match in firm control, moving the ball well and threatening the 18-yard box of our opponents.

This was underlined by the first big moment of the game as following a slid in through ball by Hall, Castledine pounced to cross towards the path of Soonsup-Bell, but the young forward could only fire his volley over the bar.

Despite its promising start from the hosts, the game went through long period of breaks in play which were disrupting the flow of the game. Our young Blues were still in control but were not fashioning chances as the away side stood resolute.

Yet to find the opener

For all the possession we were having, it was proving very difficult to break down a side who were content with siting deep and defending the edge of their box. It was Soonsup-Bell who had the next effort as he headed over from a Brodi Hughes cross.

Despite our pressure, the away side gave a little reminder of their attacking threat as a quick counter found winger Karim Konate but his curled effort was watched harmlessly wide by Ted Curd.

Even more possession followed with Brand’s side enjoying over 60 per cent share of the ball, but we ended the half with no shots on target.

Deadlock broken

We came out of the break looking for an early opener and Tauriainen soon broke clear down the right-hand side. As he entered the box, he shot on an angle and drew a save from goalkeeper Jonas Krumrey. The rebound fell to Castledine, but he sliced his effort wide.

Our play was rewarded with the goal that it deserved, and it was Hall who showed strength to ease his man off the ball and then followed that up with fine close control to settle himself and then find the far corner of the goal. It was also our first goal in this year’s competition.

Tauriainen almost doubled our lead as he found space down the right again and, on the volley, he tried to catch the keeper off guard, but he saved well with a dangling foot.

Young Red Bulls hit back

Second half substitute Jano Zeteny unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box, which was headed for the top corner, but Curd saved well with an outstretched right hand.

Despite our good play for most of the afternoon, a momentary lapse in concentration allowed the visitors back into the game. Konate played a fantastic through pass which found second-half substitute Crescenti, who composed himself one-v-one with Curd sliding past the Chelsea shot-stopper.

A late penalty shout which the referee waved away as Humphreys appeared to be hauled down in the penalty area was the last notable piece of action before the full-time whistle was blown.

What this means

Our young Blues register their first point of this year’s competition, with AC Milan at home the next fixture on Wednesday 5 October.

Chelsea(3-4-3) Ted Curd; Bashir Humphreys (c), Alfie Gilchrist, Travis Akomeah; Brodi Hughes, Lewis Hall, Charlie Webster, Zak Sturge (Silko Thomas 46); Leo Castledine, Jimi Tauriainen, Jude Soonsup-Bell (Ato Ampah 89)
Unused subs Max Merrick, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Kiano Dyer, Donnell McNeilly, Michael Golding
Scorer Hall 60
Booked Thomas 87

RB Salzburg(4-3-3) Jonas Krumey (c); Mark Gevorgyan, Marcel Moswitzer, Sandro Luca-Molner (Konstantin Gertig 58), Mario Pejazic; Moussa Kounfolo Yeo, Tolgahan Sahin (Valentin Sulzbacher 79), Raphael Hofer (Jano Zeteny 71); Marcell Berki (Federico Crescenti 71), Dominik Lechner (Luka Reischl 79), Karim Konate
Unused subs Balasz Toth, Tim Paumartner
Scorers Crescenti 83
Booked Sahin 26; Gevorgyan 63; Sulzbacher 88; Reischl 90+3

-Header photo taken by Mark Sandom