Peterborough Sports (A) Match Preview

Peterborough Sports V Chelmsford City, The Isuzu FA Trophy Second Round, PIMS Park, Saturday 16th November, 3:00pm kick-off.

Chelmsford City are in FA Trophy action on Saturday against Peterborough Sports.

National League North outfit Peterborough Sports will host this weekend’s clash and come into the fixture in good form, having gone unbeaten in their last three matches.

Both sides come into Saturday’s game on the back of playing midweek matches; City overcame West Essex in the Essex Senior Cup while Luke Steele’s side travelled to Darlington and earned a point.

Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…

Team and match stats:

Peterborough Sports reached the quarter final stage of the FA Trophy last season
The Turbines have picked up more away points (12) this season than they have home points (9).
City are aiming to win in the FA Trophy second round for the third year in a row.

In the FA Trophy second round last year, Henry Ochieng pulled out this rocket away to Harborough in our 2-0 victory! 🚀#ClaretsTogether pic.twitter.com/iMa6hEGbJP
— Chelmsford City FC (@OfficialClarets) November 15, 2024

Opposition:

Cambridgeshire-based club Peterborough Sports have been a regular fixture in the National League North since 2022-23 and have enjoyed a steady 2024-25 season so far.

The Turbines earned promotion to the sixth tier in 2021-22 for the first time in the club’s history. Despite being touted as one of the relegation favourites in their first year of National League North football, the club finished 14th in the league table and followed that up with a 15th placed finish last season.

Peterborough Sports have made the most of playing at the highest level ever in their history; in the last year they have revitalised their clubhouse, improved their pitch and introduced new stands at PIMS Park.

Up until now in 2024-25, Luke Steele’s team have experienced the majority of their success away from home, something which the Clarets will hope continues this weekend. The Turbines have earned 12 points on the road in the National League North, while they have picked up 9 points at PIMS Park.

Key men in Steele’s side this season include forwards Dion Sembie-Ferris and Michael Gyasi. No Turbines player has recorded more than the seven National League North goals and assists which Sembie-Ferris has registered in 24-25. Gyasi trails Sembie-Ferris in the goal contributions charts, having recorded 5 goals and assists so far this campaign. Gyasi comes into Saturday’s game in excellent form, having scored four goals in his last three league appearances.

Competition rules:

The Clarets and the 23 other National League South clubs have entered the competition at the second round stage, alongside Peterborough Sports and the 23 other National League North teams. National League clubs will enter the hat when the draw is made for the third round.

Should the scores remain level after 90 minutes then there will be a penalty shootout. FA Trophy ties go straight to penalties with no extra-time played.

Robbie Simpson is allowed to name a maximum of five players on the bench in the FA Trophy second round.

Team news:

Cameron James will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game. James went down in the first half of Wednesday’s match at West Essex with a problem, which forced him to be substituted off.

Ruaridh Donaldson, Louis Dunne and Ryan Blackman are continuing to progress in their recoveries from respective injuries.

Arthur Penney suffered a shoulder injury earlier this month against Torquay United.

Getting there:

Supporters travelling by car to Saturday’s game should know that the journey from the EMJ Community Stadium to PIMS Park takes around one hour and forty-five minutes.

The Chelmsford City Supporters Club coach is travelling to Saturday’s game, and at the time of writing, seats on the coach are still available. Details of the Supporters Club coach travelling to Hertfordshire can be seen below.

Matchday & ticketing information:

Tickets are available for purchase at the turnstiles on matchday. Peterborough Sports accept cashless payments only. Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults – £15
Concessions (65+, Student, Blue Light) – £5
Under 18’s – £7
Under 12’s – £3

How to follow the game:

Radio Clarets will provide live audio commentary of proceedings at PIMS Park.

Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Saturday’s match and live updates of the proceedings by following the club’s X (formerly Twitter) page: @OfficialClarets, Instagram page: chelmsfordcityfc and Bluesky page: chelmsfordcityfc.

Post-match reactions will be found on the club’s website, official social media channels and on ClaretsTV.