Chelmsford City v Hornchurch, National League South, EMJ Community Stadium, Saturday 18th January 2025, 3:00pm kick-off.
Chelmsford City host another Essex derby at the EMJ Community Stadium when they welcome Hornchurch to Melbourne this weekend.
The Clarets last played at home on New Year’s Day when they overcame Aveley, another of the three Essex teams in the National League South.
City’s return to home action will mark their first clash in two weeks – Robbie Simpson’s side come into the game on the back of last weekend’s postponed away fixture at Bath City, meaning they last played on January 4th against Enfield Town.
Hornchurch will make the short journey across Essex knowing that a win or draw on Saturday will lift them above City in the league standings and help them continue their solid first season back in the sixth tier
This weekend’s game also marks the beginning of the end of Simpson’s reign as Chelmsford City manager, following confirmation last week that he will be stepping down at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Team and match stats:
- Hornchurch are the 12th best travellers in the league this season, having collected 14 points from their 13 away games.
- City have won 12 of the club’s 19 meetings against Hornchurch.
- The Urchins ran out as the winners on their last National League South visit to the EMJ Community Stadium, winning 4-1 in the 2012-13 campaign.
Click below to watch the highlights of our 2-0 victory over Hornchurch earlier this season.
Opposition:
Hornchurch have enjoyed a steady return to life playing in the National League South. Daryl McMahon’s side were promoted last season after finishing top of the Isthmian League Premier Division while amassing an impressive 100 points.
The Urchins have gone from strength to strength in 24-25 and come into this weekend’s game in a healthy 15th position in the league standings, 14 points clear of the relegation places.
Key to Hornchurch consolidating themselves in the sixth tier this season has been their tight defence. The Urchins have the 6th best defensive record in the division and often play out close games. West Ham United loanee Mason Terry has been key to Hornchurch’s success having been a standout performer for this side in between the sticks this season.
Goalkeeper Terry has enjoyed another successful loan spell this season after being named Concord Rangers’ player of the year in 2023-24. Terry will hope he can continue to impress in men’s football in the remainder of this season, having already stood out in academy football after earning both an U18 Premier League South and FA Youth Cup winners’ medal in 2023.
Further forward in Hornchurch’s side is former Chelmsford City captain Tom Wraight. The midfielder departed the EMJ Community Stadium to join the Urchins in December 2021 and has been a regular for the club ever since. Wraight has featured in all but one of his side’s league games this season and notched three goals and two assists in the National League South.
Team news:
Charlie Ruff sustained an ankle injury last time out against Enfield Town and could be a doubt.
Forwards Freddie Hockey and Jordan Greenidge have been sidelined recently alongside midfielder Ryan Blackman, who is pushing to make a return to action.
Recent new arrivals Harry Barbrook, Finley Wilkinson and Saleem Akanbi will be hoping to make their home debuts at the EMJ Community Stadium.
Matchday & ticketing information:
Supporters can click here to buy tickets online ahead of matchday, via the club’s Ticketpass website. Online tickets will be on sale until 12pm on the day of the game. Online ticket prices are as follows:
- Adults – £14.00*
- Concessions/Senior (65+) – £9.00*
- Student (17–24 with a valid ID Card) – £4.00*
- Youth (12–17) – £4.00*
- Under-12s (when accompanied by an adult) – Free
*plus booking fee
Tickets will also be available on the gate on the day of the fixture. Turnstiles on matchday open at 1pm. Matchday ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult – £17
- Concession/Senior (65+) – £12
- Student (17-24 with valid ID card) – £6.50
- Youth (12-17) – £6.50
- Under-12s (when accompanied by an adult) – Free
Cash or card payments are accepted at the turnstiles.
How to follow the game:
Radio Clarets will provide live audio commentary of proceedings at the EMJ Community Stadium.
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Saturday’s match and live updates of the proceedings by following the club’s X (formerly Twitter) page: @OfficialClarets, Instagram page: chelmsfordcityfc and Bluesky page: chelmsfordcityfc.
Post-match reactions will be found on the club’s website, official social media channels and on ClaretsTV.
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