Full-time: Chelmsford City 5-1 Welling United
Chelmsford City delivered a five-star performance in Robbie Simpson’s final home game as Clarets manager by brushing aside already-relegated Welling United 5-1 at the EMJ Community Stadium.
A first half brace from Charlie Ruff gave City a deserved lead at the break, though the vice-captain missed the chance to complete a hat trick from the penalty spot in the 35th minute. Welling briefly threatened a comeback after capitalising on an early second half mistake by goalkeeper Ted Collins, but strikes from Ruaridh Donaldson, Freddie Hockey and Archie Tamplin added to City’s goal tally and ensured Simpson’s home farewell was one to remember.
Ahead of the Clarets’ final home fixture of the 2024-25 season, Simpson made two changes to the side that started against Aveley on Good Friday. Ruff and Jacob Bland came into the XI and replaced Sam Oguntayo and Hockey, both of whom dropped to the bench.
City made a flying start and took the lead in the 5th minute. Bland showed quick feet to beat two Welling defenders in the corner before cutting the ball across the box to Ruff, who took a touch and then curled a superb effort into the top corner of Rhys Lovett’s net.
Ruff doubled City’s lead in the 32nd minute. Donaldson’s corner was headed back across goal by Arthur Penney, and Ruff reacted quickest by guiding the ball home from close range with his first touch.
Just minutes later, Ruff had the chance to complete his hat trick from the penalty spot after Bland was fouled inside the box. Although Nico Valentine found the net moments after the foul, referee Joseph Dann-Pye had already blown for the penalty and disallowed the goal. Ruff sent Lovett the wrong way from 12-yards, but agonisingly dragged his shot just wide of the post.
The Wings pulled one back early in the second half through substitute Josh Redfearn in the 50th minute. A long ball forward caused confusion at the back, and City keeper Collins was caught in no man’s land, which allowed Redfearn to round him and finish into an empty net.
City quickly regrouped and restored their two-goal cushion just five minutes later. Donaldson was first to react to a loose ball on the edge of the area and rifled a low drive into the bottom corner – his second league goal of the campaign.
The Clarets smelt blood against their relegated opponents and added a fourth in the 76th minute. Valentine whipped in a dangerous cross from the right, which found substitute Freddie Hockey in front of goal. The forward made no mistake and tapped in Valentine’s cross for his first league strike since September.
The scoring was rounded off in the 85th minute when Tamplin got on the scoresheet to cap off a high octane display. Sam Oguntayo, who had come on as a substitute for the injured Paul Appiah in the first half, delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Tamplin slotted home his second goal of the season.
The result ensured a memorable send-off for Robbie Simpson in his final home game as manager, with three points lifting City back into the top half of the National League South table ahead of Saturday’s season finale at Weymouth.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Barnum-Bobb, Appiah (Oguntayo 38’), Penney, Donaldson; Tamplin (Akanbi 85’), Blackman (Mupomba 75’); Valentine, Ruff (C) (Hockey 67’), Crichlow (Hayes 83’); Bland.
Unused substitutes: none
Yellow cards: Barnum-Bobb 29’
Welling United XI: Lovett (GK); Davies (Ballard-McBride 71’), Burchell (Kashket 45’), Kennedy (C), Taylor-Crossdale, Cornish, Briscoe (Redfearn 45+1’), Bramble, Martin, Di Trolio, Kamara.
Unused substitutes: none
Yellow cards: Bramble 21’, Kennedy 86’
Match Officials: Joseph Dann-Pye (Referee), Daniel Doyle (Assistant Referee), Matthew Rowling (Assistant Referee), Oliver Morris-Sanders (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 788
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