Full-time: Farnborough 3-4 Chelmsford City
Kane Crichlow’s electric individual performance helped Chelmsford City earn a 4-3 away win against Farnborough in the National League South.
Crichlow’s first half brace contributed to sending City down the tunnel at half-time with a 3-2 lead, while the Bermudian’s 62nd minute goal put the Clarets 4-2 up and rounded off his hat trick.
Spencer Day’s Farnborough side had hopes of mounting a late comeback when Jonny Stuttle netted a penalty to narrow the Chelmsford City lead, but Robbie Simpson’s side held firm to earn their first away win of 2025.
Simpson handed Ipswich Town loanee Nico Valentine his first start in a Chelmsford City shirt, and the winger’s inclusion in the side marked one of two changes to the team that started last time out at Bath City. Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was included from the beginning after being an unused substitute at Twerton Park.
Proceedings at the Saunders Community Transport Stadium started frantically as both sides scored inside the opening 15 minutes. Farnborough took the lead in the 7th minute. Reggie Young cut inside from the right and rolled the ball into Joe Haigh, who fired a shot that Ted Collins got a hand to but couldn’t keep out, with the ball trickling over the line to put the hosts in front.
Chelmsford City responded quickly and found an equaliser just six minutes later. A clever flick from Jake Hyde found Valentine in space down the right, and his accurate cross found Crichlow in space at the back post. Crichlow remained composed and slotted the ball past Farnborough keeper Jack Turner to restore parity.
City were in control for the majority of the first half and added two more goals to their tally before the break. In the 41st minute, a free kick from Collins was flicked on by Hyde into the path of Crichlow, who made no mistake and scored a clinical volley to make it 2-1.
The Clarets then struck again in the 45th minute. Another cross from Valentine caused confusion in the Farnborough box, with both Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Hyde challenging for it, before the ball eventually found its way into the back of the net following a poor clearance attempt by the Farnborough defence and goalkeeper Turner.
There was still time for more drama to unfold before half-time, when Farnborough scored their second goal of the game. In the second minute of added time, an underhit backpass from Barnum-Bobb was intercepted by Stuttle, who rounded Collins and rolled the ball into the empty net to make it 3-2, giving Farnborough something to play for ahead of the second period.
The second half saw Chelmsford City continue to threaten. In the 50th minute, a well-worked move saw Charlie Ruff square the ball to Archie Tamplin on the edge of the box, but his powerful shot was tipped over the crossbar by Turner.
In the 62nd minute, Chelmsford extended their lead once again. After a crucial interception in midfield by Tamplin, City broke forward quickly and Hyde played a perfectly timed ball behind the Farnborough backline. Hyde’s pass found Crichlow, who finished confidently from inside the penalty area to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-2.
Farnborough refused to give in and earned another chance to get back into the game in the 78th minute. City defender Harry Barbrook was adjudged to have brought down Stuttle inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Stuttle stepped up to take the spot-kick and blasted it into the roof of the net, sending Collins the wrong way to make it 4-3.
Chelmsford City held firm in nervy six minutes of added time, and could have extended their lead. Crichlow played a ball through to substitute Finley Wilkinson, who only had Turner to beat, but the Barnet loanee’s chipped shot went over the crossbar.
After securing their first win of the month, the Clarets will make a swift return to action in just over 48 hours’ time when they host Hemel Hempstead Town at the EMJ Community Stadium.
Farnborough XI: Turner (GK); D’Auria-Henry, Chin (Saied 78′), Haigh, Pendlebury (Acey 78′), Stuttle, Kuhl (C), Bradshaw, Young (Matthews-Lewis 65′), Hart, Bateson.
Unused substitutes: Robinson, O’Connor
Yellow cards: Pendlebury 40′, Hart 50′
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Barnum-Bobb (Edwards 66′), Rye, Barbrook, Oguntayo (Donaldson 88′); Blackman, Tamplin; Valentine (Wilkinson 66′), Ruff (C) (Bland 73′), Crichlow; Hyde (Penney 90′).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Collins 90+5′
Match officials: Charles Martland (Referee), James Berry (Assistant Referee), Harry Yellen (Assistant Referee), Ross Murphy (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 895
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