Chelmsford City play their 8th home game out of their last 12 fixtures when they enter into the Isuzu FA Trophy at the 2nd round stage to take on Southern League Premier Central outfit Redditch United on Saturday 19th November (3pm kickoff).
The opposition
Redditch United sit in 4th place after 16 games in the Southern League Premier Central this season. They have won 8, drawn 4 and lost 4, scoring 28 goals and conceding 21 in the league campaign so far which all adds up to 28 league points so far. They have won 2 games so far in the FA Trophy, beating Hitchin 3-0 away and then winning 3-1 at home against AFC Totton. Both teams form is slightly different with Redditch on a 5 game unbeaten run in all competitions and Chelmsford are on a 4 game winless run with 2 draws and 2 defeats. City though have a member of the squad of the last two FA Trophy winners with Liam Trotter winning it last season for Bromley and Charlie Ruff scoring in the final when Hornchurch won it in 2021. City though have lost their last 3 games in the FA Trophy.
In terms of players, Redditch have former Aston Villa academy goalkeeper Kieran Boucher. In defence they some experience with former Solihull and Kettering defender Calum Flanagan as well as former Aberystwyth Town man Ryan Wollacott. They have also signed 18 year old defender Adulai Sambu on loan from Cheltenham. In midfield they have just made midfielder David King’s loan move from Gloucester City permanent. They also have talented midfielder Max Sheaf who has played in the Football League with Hull and Cheltenham as well as in the National League South with Hungerford. They also have some experience in the form of 33 year old former Telford, Solihull and Kidderminster player Jack Byrne. Up front they have former Braintree, Aldershot, Bristol Rovers and Lincoln striker Bernard Mensah who also made appearances in the Championship for Watford. They have also recently signed former Wycombe, Cheltenham and Ostersunds attacker Jerell Sellars to bolster their attacking threat.
Redditch’s boss is their former captain Matt Clarke who took the reins in September 2020. As a player, Clarke had spells with Wolves, West Brom and Halesowen Town as a youngster before heading to Kidderminster Harriers in a £10,000 move. After a season at Aggborough he left for Hereford United where he played around 150 games over four seasons before further moves took him to Telford United and Redditch Utd. Clarke also worked as Assistant Manager at Redditch under Paul Smith in 2018.
Previous Meetings
The last time we played Redditch was in the 1987-88 season in the Southern League Premier Division. Redditch beat us home and away that season, including a 4-2 win in the Midlands 3 games from the end of the season. City lost at home to Corby Town on the final day which relegated us from the Southern League Premier and the team that escaped above us on goal difference was Redditch! It was a short stay of execution though as Redditch were relegated the following season having conceded 105 league goals and City went straight back up as champions of the Southern League South division, scoring 106 goals and amassing 95 points! Therefore the last time we played Redditch at home was 17th October 1987, with Redditch winning 2-1 in front of 571 with striker John Bartley scoring City’s goal. The last time City beat the Reds at home was the opening day of the 1986-87 season on 16th August 1986 with Steve Oliver scoring the only goal.
Team News
Khale Da Costa and Ade Oluwo both missed the FA Cup defeat against Barnet due to injury. Louis Dunne also went off after feeling the effects of the tackle that left the Bees with 10 men.
Ticket News
Tickets are now available to be purchased in advance of the 3pm kick-off on Saturday and can be bought by clicking this link.
Adult – £13
Senior (65+) – £9
Concession – £9
Full-Time Student – £5
Youth (12-17) – £5
Under-12s – Free
Entry can also be purchased at the turnstiles on the day at the Melbourne Community Stadium.
Ticket prices on the day:
Adult – £15
Senior (65+) – £10
Concession – £10
Full-Time Student – £5
Youth (12-17) – £5
Under-12s – Free
A programme will be available to purchase on the day for £3 or a digital subscription to The Claret can be purchased here.
Where to follow the game…
The Club will be only providing coverage of the game on Twitter (@OfficialClarets) using the hashtag #TheClarets.
There will also be live audio commentary from Radio Clarets.
Post-match reports and interviews will be found on the club website, social media and ClaretsTV following the game.
Match rules
If the tie is a draw at 90 minutes, penalty kicks will be taken to decide the winner. No extra-time will be played.
It is set to be a chilly and grey afternoon in Essex with highs of just 8 degrees and a threat of rain.
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