Chelmsford City FC V MK Dons, Pre-Season Friendly, Melbourne Community Stadium, Wednesday 24th July 2024, 7:45pm kick-off.
For the second time in the space of 48-hours, Chelmsford City will welcome higher level opponents to Melbourne Community Stadium when League Two outfit MK Dons make the journey to Essex later today.
This evening’s friendly against Mike Williamson’s side brings an intense period of the Clarets’ pre-season preparations to a close; tonight’s clash marks the third game which Robbie Simpson’s squad have contested during the past five days.
As the amount of pre-season minutes which City’s current crop of players have in their legs continues to build-up, those who impressed in Monday’s draw against Barnet will look to use another game against higher-level opposition as a further opportunity to prove their fitness and credentials to Simpson, ahead of the beginning of the National League South season on August 10th.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Opposition:
MK Dons were one of League Two’s top performing sides last season; The Dons earned a play-off spot after ending the regular league campaign sitting 4th in the table. However, Mike Williamson’s men were unable to seize the opportunity to earn an instant return to League One, after falling to an 8-1 aggregate defeat to Crawley Town in the play-off semi-final.
Williamson has looked to refresh his squad following May’s play-off disappointment by making 10 new signings during the current summer transfer window. Notable additions to the MK squad up to now include midfielders Tom Carroll and Liam Kelly. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City player Carroll has 94 Premier League appearances to his name, while ex-Reading and Feyenoord man Liam Kelly has made over 100 Championship appearances.
Results-wise, The Dons began their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Barnet earlier this month. Last week, Williamson took his players on a short training camp to Germany which culminated in a 4-1 win over Hannover 96 U23s.
Team News:
Wednesday’s match presents Robbie Simpson with another opportunity to get more minutes in his first team players’ legs against strong opposition, ahead of next month’s National League South curtain-raiser against Slough Town. Additionally, the match will also give Simpson a further chance to cast his eyes over the trialists who are currently looking to impress the manager and his backroom team.
Ticketing information:
Supporters can buy tickets online via the club’s ticketing website, or on the day at Melbourne Community Stadium. Ticket prices for Wednesday’s match are as follows:
- Adults – £10
- Concessions – £5
- Under 12’s accompanied by a paying adult – Free
How to follow the game:
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Wednesday’s match and live updates of proceedings in Essex 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.
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