Chelmsford City take on St Albans City in a huge playoff quarter-final at Melbourne on Tuesday 2nd May, 7.30pm kickoff. Extra-time and penalties could be played as a winner must be determined on the night in order to play at Dartford on Sunday afternoon.
The opposition
St Albans have had a strong end to the season, beating Farnborough at home on the final day to finish 6th in the table.
In terms of players, St Albans have Norwich City loanee goalkeeper Dylan Berry in between the sticks who has replaced the injured Michael Johnson.
In defence they have former Arsenal academy and Wycombe Wanderers loanee Tafari Moore. Callum Adebyi, and former Watford trainee Joy Mukena are set to line up at centre-back with teenage Luton loanee Aidan Francis-Clarke at left back.
In midfield they have signed former Concord midfielder Ryan Blackman and they have talented Colchester United loanee Chay Cooper in the middle of the park as well. They also have former Oxford City man Kyran Wiltshire who scored against the Clarets on the opening day of the season.
Up front they have former Claret Shaun Jeffers, who finshed with 27 league goals, coming off the bench on Saturday to score a penalty just a few minutes later. Supplementing him they have former Luton winger Zane Banton as well as strikers Joe Neal and Mitchell Weiss. They also have Cambridge United loanee wide-man Glenn McConnell.
St Albans’ boss is 41 year old David Noble who was appointed permanently last November after taking over in September from the long-serving Ian Allinson. Noble was a team mate of Clarets manager Robbie Simpson at Exeter City in 2015-16 and also played for West Ham, Rotherham, Bristol City amongst others and has been at the Saints for 6 seasons as a player before undertaking his maiden managerial role.
Previous Meetings
St Albans are undefeated in their last 5 trips to Melbourne, with City having not beaten them at home since 2015 when Billy Bricknell scored both goals in a 2-1 win. 3 of those 5 games though have ended in a 1-1 scoreline. City have a better record at Clarence Park, with a couple of wins in Hertfordshire since the Clarets last won at home against the Saints.
Team News
City have a doubt over influential captain Dave Winfield who is touch and go to play after an injured ankle. Freddie Hockey made his return from injury on Saturday but Frankie Terry and Ody Alfa are still doubts due to their respective knee injuries.
St Albans will be missing keeper Michael Johnson and midfielder Romeo Akinola with injuries.
Ticket News
Due to demand, we recommend buying your tickets online in advance here.
Adult – £15
Senior (65+) – £10
Concession – £10
Full-Time Student – £5
Youth (12-17) – £5
Under-12s – Free
Entry can also be purchased at the turnstiles on the day at the Melbourne Community Stadium but please arrive early to avoid disappointment and a long queue!
A programme is available for sale at the Supporters’ Club Hut for £3.
Where to follow the game…
The Club will be providing coverage of the game on Twitter (@OfficialClarets) using the hashtag #TheClarets.
There will also be live audio commentary from Radio Clarets.
Post-match reports and interviews will be found on the club website, social media and ClaretsTV following the game.
Weather
It is set to be a chilly evening in Chelmsford with highs of 10 degrees for kickoff.
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