Chelmsford City FC V Tonbridge Angels FC, National League South, Melbourne Community Stadium, Saturday 13th April 2024, 3pm kick-off.
Chelmsford City host Tonbridge Angels this weekend in the club’s final home game of the regular National League South season.
The Clarets remain 2nd in the league table ahead of Saturday’s match, but Maidstone United’s midweek win over Weymouth means Simpson’s side and the 3rd placed Stones are now only separated by goal difference. Worthing, and Essex rivals Braintree Town, were also in action this week and picked up results which have left them within two points of City.
With the table tightening ahead of Saturday’s match against the 13th placed Angels, Simpson and his side will be counting on you, the Claret Army, to once again be their 12th man this weekend!
Looking to end the season strongly, Jay Saunders’ side may arrive in Essex seeking some revenge. The Angels fell to a last-gasp defeat on their previous visit to Melbourne Community Stadium, which saw Liam Trotter score an impressive volley to earn City a late win over Tonbridge back in February 2023.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Team & match stats:
· Saturday’s opponents are searching for their first win in three National League South matches.
· Tonbridge have lost on both of their league visits to Essex this season.
· City have only won one of their last six league games against Tonbridge Angels.
· The Angels’ last victory at Melbourne Community Stadium came in November 2020.
Opposition:
Sat comfortably in mid-table under no threat of relegation, but with no chance of finishing in a playoff position, Tonbridge Angels will arrive in Essex on Saturday with only pride to play for.
Indifferent away form has thwarted Jay Saunders’ side’s chances of pushing higher up in the league table, with Tonbridge having only recorded one league victory on the road in 2024. Those travelling across the Dartford Crossing to watch the Angels play in Essex on Saturday will be hoping for an improvement in their team’s away fortunes, in what will be Tonbridge’s final clash of the season away from Longmead Stadium.
The Angels have a number of former City players in their ranks who could inspire their side to a memorable final away trip of the season. Midfielder Mo Dabre, who started the 23-24 campaign as a Claret, has been a regular in Saunders’ side since making the move from Melbourne to Longmead Stadium back in November. Dabre has scored twice in his 21 league games in a Tonbridge shirt.
Liam Vincent is another player who has featured in both Chelmsford City and Tonbridge Angels’ colours this season. Vincent joined City on loan from Portsmouth in November but the left-sided player’s time in Essex was cut short after one appearance for the club. Since joining Tonbridge in January, Vincent has been a regular in Saunders’ side having started in Tonbridge’s last nine league matches.
A former Angels man now among the Clarets’ ranks is Player of the Season Luke Jenkins. The defender experienced a brief loan spell at Longmead Stadium back in the 2021-22 season. Jenkins scored against his former club in the reverse fixture of this Saturday’s game back in November, in a game which ended 1-1 in Kent.
Team News:
Clarets boss Robbie Simpson offered a team news update following last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Slough Town.
“Finley Barbrook has had a scan and we’re hoping he’s going to be back for the last game of the season,” Simpson explained last Saturday.
In better news for City fans, the manager was able to give more positive news about the fitness of defender Cameron James.
“Cam will look to train [this week] and if he comes through that then he will be available to get some minutes [against Tonbridge].
“I’m sure Woody [Anthony Wordsworth] will be back,” Simpson added.
Goalkeeper Henry Gray will not be available for selection after being recalled from his loan spell in Essex by parent club Ipswich Town.
Josh Castiglione and George Alexander will be forced to serve their respective suspensions after being sent off last week.
Ticketing information:
Ticket prices online:
Adult – £14
Concession/Senior (65+) – £9
Student (17-24 with valid ID) – £4
Youth (12-17) – £4
Under-12s – Free
Supporters can also buy tickets on the day at Melbourne Community Stadium. Matchday turnstile prices are as follows:
Adult – £17
Concession/Senior (65+) – £12
Student (17-24 with valid ID) – £6.50
Youth (12-17) – £6.50
Under-12s – Free
How to follow the game:
Radio Clarets will provide live audio commentary of proceedings at Melbourne Community Stadium.
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Saturday’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.
Words by Jake Dixon.
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