Full-time: Chelmsford City 2–3 Brackley Town
Chelmsford City were edged out by Brackley Town in the club’s fourth pre-season friendly, following an entertaining second half in which all five goals were scored.
Angelo Harrop’s men had the better chances in the first period and were twice denied by Brackley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who impressively kept out efforts from both Ricky Holmes and Joe Grimwood.
The deadlock was broken less than 10 minutes into the second half, when Miracle Okafor met a cross at the near post to give the visitors the lead. City responded quickly and were level less than five minutes later. Kian Ronan scored his first goal in a Chelmsford City shirt after being picked out in the box by Taylor Clark’s impressive through ball.
Academy prospect Jett Murphy then put the Clarets in front in the closing stages of normal time when he poked home Josh Hedges’ cross. However, Gavin Cowan’s side hit back with two late goals in the final moments to snatch victory.
Ahead of kick-off, Harrop made few changes to the side that overcame Maldon & Tiptree in midweek. One fresh face in the starting XI was Archie Tamplin, who made his first start since agreeing terms to continue with the club for the 2025/26 season.
Saints’ shot-stopper Maxted was the busier of the two keepers in the opening 45 minutes, and denied the Clarets well on two occasions. He did well to tip Holmes’ effort over the bar in just the second minute, preventing City from making a dream start against the reigning National League North champions. Just before the half-hour mark, he was called into action again – this time pushing Grimwood’s towering header, following a Jack Barham cross, around the post.
Brackley had a couple of half-chances themselves and came closest to opening their account in the 13th minute when an effort flashed just wide of Chris Haigh’s goal.
Cowan’s side eventually opened the scoring early in the second half when Okafor guided a close-range header past Trialist B, following a dangerous delivery by a Brackley trialist.
City responded well and equalised just five minutes later. Half-time substitute Clark played a defence-splitting pass to Ronan, who controlled the ball calmly and finished clinically past Maxted.
The Clarets enjoyed the better of the play for periods of the second half. Before Murphy’s goal, both Hedges and Shiloh Remy were unable to capitalise on half-chances after finding space inside the Brackley penalty area.
Murphy’s goal in the 88th minute looked to have sealed a win for City. The academy forward did well to get ahead of his marker and divert Hedges’ dangerous ball across the box into the net. However, Brackley responded almost immediately. The Saints’ 2024/25 season top scorer Connor Hall fired home from a tight angle, with his deflected effort beating Trialist B in the City goal.
Brackley then completed their comeback in the closing seconds when they were awarded a late penalty after Trialist C was adjudged to have fouled Saints man Matt Lowe in the area. Lowe stepped up from the spot and coolly sent Trialist B the wrong way to seal a 3–2 win.
Chelmsford City return to action in just over 48 hours’ time, when they travel across Essex to face Step 3 outfit Hashtag United at Parkside. The Clarets then return home next Saturday to host League Two club Bromley. Click here to get your tickets for the game.
Chelmsford City first half XI: Haigh (GK); Ronan, Grimwood, Longe-King, Barbroook; Odusanya, Tamplin; Holmes, Trialist A, Corbett; Barham.
Chelmsford City second half XI: Trialist B (GK); Ronan (Trialist C 60’), Tompkins, Grimwood, Barbrook (Ward 60’); Odusanya (Trialist D 60’), Clark; Hedges, Castiglione, Corbett (Murphy 74’); Trialist A (Remy 74’).
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