Maidstone United V Chelmsford City FC, National League South, Gallagher Stadium, Tuesday 12th March 2024, 7:45pm kick-off.
Chelmsford City play away from home for the second time in less than a week on Tuesday night, with the Clarets travelling from Essex to neighbouring county Kent for a clash against fellow playoff challengers Maidstone United.
The Stones are on the periphery of the National League South’s playoff places at present, with goal difference currently preventing Maidstone from occupying 7th position in the league table, the final playoff spot. George Elokobi’s side will be searching for their first league win in two games on Tuesday, having collected one point from recent clashes against playoff rivals Bath City and St Albans City.
Chelmsford City recorded their 20th league win of the campaign last time out after overcoming Truro City in an away game hosted by the White Tigers at Gloucester City’s TigerTurf Stadium. Robbie Simpson’s side remain 2nd in the league standings, five points clear of 3rd place Worthing.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Team & match stats:
· Maidstone have lost three league matches at the Gallagher Stadium this season, only Yeovil Town (one) and Braintree Town (two) have experienced fewer home defeats.
· The Stones have won their last three competitive games against City.
· The Clarets’ last victory at the Gallagher Stadium came in August 2015.
· Robbie Simpson’s first goal as a Chelmsford City player came in a 4-1 defeat away against Maidstone in August 2019.
Opposition:
Maidstone United are aiming to end a memorable 2023-24 season on a high by securing a playoff place, which would leave the Stones in contention to return to the National League after a one-year absence.
Tuesday’s opponents’ relegation to the sixth tier of English football was confirmed with five games to go last season, consigning the Kent club to an instant return to the National League South after being promoted from the division as champions in 2021-22.
Strong home form this season has been the backbone of placing George Elokobi’s side in playoff contention, with Maidstone’s home record being the fifth strongest in the National League South during 23-24. Maidstone’s away form in the league has been less impressive, but Stones supporters have experienced some of the most memorable days in their club’s history on the road this campaign.
The finest hour of our opponents’ season so far came during a trip to Portman Road in late January, which saw the Stones beat Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. The Stones’ incredible cup-run was ended in Round Five of the competition by Coventry City. Nevertheless, Maidstone’s trip to the Ricoh Arena capped off an impressive FA Cup journey in which Elokobi’s side beat three Football League sides in Stevenage, Barrow AFC, and Ipswich Town, as well as overcoming Kent rivals Dartford in the earlier rounds.
Now though, full focus at the Gallagher Stadium will be on finishing the National League South season as strongly as possible. The Stones will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday after suffering a rare home defeat to St Albans City at the weekend. Key to helping their side return to winning ways will be attacking duo Matt Rush and Mo Faal.
Signing for the Stones in November 2023 and January 2024 respectively from National League South rivals Aveley and Havant & Waterlooville, Rush and Faal have scored a combined 16 goals in their short spells so far at the Gallagher Stadium.
A mainstay in George Elokobi’s side this season has been goalkeeper Lucas Covolan. The Brazilian, who has been capped by his country at U20 level, is yet to have missed a league game for the Stones in 2023-24. Covolan made 12 saves for his side during their historic 2-1 win at Portman Road. He also kept a clean sheet during Maidstone’s 1-0 win at Melbourne Community Stadium earlier this season.
Team News:
The fitness of Luke Jenkins will be assessed ahead of Tuesday’s match, after the defender was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup prior to Saturday’s game against Truro City.
Dave Winfield’s suspension continues.
Getting there:
Supporters travelling by car to Tuesday’s game should know that the journey from Melbourne Community Stadium to the Gallagher Stadium takes around one hour.
On first team match days all the car parking spaces at the Gallagher Stadium are reserved and cars have permits to park there. The nearest pay and display car parks are at Invicta House (five-minute walk), Maidstone East Train Station (seven-minute walk) and Fremlin Walk (ten-minute walk).
The Chelmsford City Supporters Club coach travelling to Maidstone has sold out. The coach departs Melbourne Park at 5pm on Tuesday, and will then depart the County Hotel at 5:15pm.
Ticketing information:
Ticket prices for Tuesday’s game are as follows:
· Adults: £17
· Concessions (65+/Students with valid ID): £13
· Youth (11–16-year-olds): £7
· Under-11s: Free with a paying adult
Stand seat plus £3 on the above prices – subject to availability.
Tickets can be purchased in advance via Maidstone United’s official club website, or they can be purchased on match day at the Gallagher Stadium.
Turnstiles will be open at the Gallagher Stadium from 6:15pm.
How to follow the game:
Radio Clarets will provide live commentary of proceedings at the Gallagher Stadium.
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Tuesday’s match and live updates of proceedings in Kent by following the club’s X (formerly Twitter) page: @OfficialClarets and Instagram page: chelmsfordcityfc.
Post-match reactions will be found on the club’s website, official social media channels and on ClaretsTV.
Words by Jake Dixon.
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