Full time: Witham Town 4-3 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City tasted defeat on Tuesday night to Witham Town, whose victory secured their status as Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup champions for the 2023-24 season. The long-awaited final of the county cup competition for last season finally took place ahead of the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, after both clubs elected to play the fixture as part of their pre-season preparations.
Those in attendance at Simarco Stadium were treated to a competitive seven-goal thriller, which was played like anything but a warm-up fixture ahead of the new season. The Town twice took the lead during the first half, but Josh Osude’s goals were cancelled out by strikes from Charlie Ruff, who drew the Clarets level on two occasions in the opening forty-five minutes. City then took the lead early in the second period, when Ruaridh Donaldson scored an effort from close-range. City headed into the final stages of the cup final looking to be in control of the proceedings, but the game was turned on its head when Gary Kimble’s side scored two goals in the final ten minutes of the match, allowing the hosts to lift the silverware at full-time.
Nearly a full eleven of first-team players were named in Robbie Simpson’s starting XI on Tuesday evening – only one trialist started in the City team which was captained once again by Charlie Ruff. Witham Town boss Gary Kimble named a full-strength side.
The hosts started the match brightly and were rewarded less than five minutes into the game when Josh Osude scored his first goal of the night. Osude intercepted a loose clearance made by Clarets defender Arthur Penney and then charged towards goal, before rounding goalkeeper Ted Collins and scoring into the empty City net.
Simpson’s Clarets responded well to going behind and equalised just over 20 minutes after Osude’s opener. A cross-field pass played by Bradley Williams, who was featuring in his second game as a Chelmsford City player since signing for the club last week, alluded the head of defending Witham Town player Callum Matthews and landed into the path of Charlie Ruff. Ruff decisively brought the ball under control and clinically finished the chance from a tight angle past goalkeeper Harry Fairs.
The Clarets were level for less than three minutes though, and The Town took the lead again in the 28th minute when Josh Osude completed a first half brace. Ted Collins and the Clarets defenders failed to clear their lines following a Witham corner, resulting in an eventual delivery across the penalty box falling into the path of Osude at the backpost, who once again hit the target and scored.
Forward Jake Hyde nearly scored his first goal in a Clarets shirt in the immediate aftermath of Witham’s second goal; an inventive free-kick chipped over the Witham Town wall by Charlie Ruff found the run of Hyde, who produced a looping header which ended up on the roof of the net. Simpson’s men eventually found their second first half leveller when Ruff completed his brace in the 42nd minute. A slick Chelmsford City team move was finished by captain-for-the-night Ruff after he was picked out in the 18-yard box by Kalvin Kalala’s accurate delivery from the left flank.
Despite being forced into an early first half substitution when Geofrey Okonkwo was forced off the field of play after suffering a knock, Robbie Simpson was unafraid to use his bench at the beginning of the second half, replacing Jake Hyde with Callum Watts. Watts made an immediate impact following his introduction for the second period, as he provided the assist for his side’s third goal of the night. Watts’ pass into a crowded Witham Town penalty area found the run of Ruaridh Donaldson, who was unable to miss from close-range to put the Clarets ahead.
For long stages in the second half at Simarco Stadium, City dominated possession of the ball and were in control of the match. Ryan Blackman’s set pieces proved to be particularly dangerous throughout the half. Accurate deliveries into the Witham Town penalty box by Blackman resulted in both Penney and Ruff being presented with free headers in front of goal in the 54th and 68th minute respectively, but neither of the two were able to guide their headed efforts on target. Blackman himself then came close to scoring in the 79th minute when a powerful free-kick struck by the midfielder was well-saved by Harry Fairs.
Gary Kimble’s side looked second best and unlikely to score during the second half, but City’s struggles to put the game out of sight cost them dearly when the hosts produced two late goals in the closing 10 minutes of the cup final. Alfie Matthews headed Archie McFadden’s impressive free-kick past Ted Collins in the 83rd minute, drawing the hosts level and making up for his earlier mistake in the build-up to City’s first goal of the night. Osude was then on hand to complete his hat-trick in the 88th minute; the former Hashtag United man picked the ball up on the edge of the Clarets’ penalty area and fired a low effort towards goal which got the better of Collins.
Referee Craig Charles played an extended period of added time at the end of the second period following several stoppages throughout the half. City came close on one occasion in stoppage time when Freddie Hockey fired a powerful volley the wrong side of the post. The Clarets were ultimately unable to find a third equalising goal of the night though, which would have forced a penalty shootout to determine the winners of the 2023-24 Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup.
Following the full-time whistle, the Clarets watched on disappointedly whilst their hosts lifted the silverware on the pitch at Simarco Stadium. Robbie Simpson told ClaretsTV following the defeat that he hopes his side can use the disappointment they suffered last night as a lesson ahead of the start of the National League South season in just over a week’s time. Before then, Simpson and his squad welcome National League outfit Southend United to Melbourne this Saturday, in the club’s final friendly of pre-season.
Witham Town XI: Fairs (GK); Ige, Alatise, Dorling, Matthews, McFadden, Osude, Whipps, Sesay, Madia, Fitzer.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Williams (Bland 51’), Okonkwo (Kalala 16’), Penney; Trialist A (Ward 72’), Blackman, Crichlow, Donaldson; Ruff, Hockey, Hyde (Watts 46’).
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