Chelmsford City return to league action at Melbourne Community Stadium on Monday evening when Welling United visit Essex.
Both clubs head into Monday’s match after suffering from fixture postponements on Saturday, but upon returning to action, Robbie Simpson and Danny Bloor’s sides will resume their very different seasons so far.
City – currently 5th in the National League South table – are looking to record their fifth consecutive league win and cement their position in the playoff places. Welling United find themselves battling at the opposite end of the league and currently sit 22nd in the table, nine points adrift from safety, while on a winless run in the league which stretches back to November 25th 2023.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Team & match stats:
· The Wings possess the third weakest away record in the National League South this season.
· Danny Bloor’s side are winless in their last seven league matches.
· Welling are undefeated in their last four visits to Melbourne Community Stadium.
· City have not kept a clean sheet against the Wings in any of the last four league clashes between both sides.
Opposition:
Welling United head into Monday’s game in Essex on the back of a mixed 10 days or so at Park View Road.
The Wings were handed a confidence boost last time out, when they recorded an FA Trophy upset by beating National League table toppers Chesterfield 2-0. Welling fans were then further buoyed by the addition of experienced defender Joe Ellul. The 34-year-old has impressed at National League South level recently; Ellul was named as Maidstone’s Player of the Season in the Stones’ 21-22 title-winning campaign, with his performances also earning him a place in the National League South Team of the Season.
After confirmation of Ellul’s arrival though, Wings supporters were hit with the sobering news of top goalscorer Kain Adom’s departure to National League side Gateshead. Adom netted nine goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Wings after arriving at Park View Road in pre-season, and manager Danny Bloor admitted his disappointment at losing his highest goalscorer.
Currently nine points adrift from safety and without a league win since the end of November, Bloor will desperately hope that the addition of Ellul proves to be an inspired one, and that other players in his squad will step up to fill the void Adom leaves behind. Young attacking duo Enoch Muwonge and David Kamara did just that in the recent victory over Chesterfield, when they both grabbed a goal each. They will hope to impress once again if handed further starts. Elsewhere in the Chesterfield win, Wings defender Jack Burchell made a return from injury after replacing Chiori Johnson.
Welling earned their tie against the Spireites after beating National League North playoff challengers Brackley Town in the previous round of the FA Trophy. Welling’s few recent victories will give City cause for concern ahead of Monday: the Wings’ recent cup victories have come against strong opposition from other divisions, whilst their latest league win was against table-toppers Yeovil. Simpson will have to ensure his Clarets side are on high alert against opposition who desperately need to continue upsetting strong sides, if they are to achieve a great escape from the relegation places.
Team News:
Following the postponement of Saturday’s game against Farnborough, Robbie Simpson will hope his side can head into Monday’s game with no new injury worries after a longer than expected break from action.
Forward Mo Bettamer is continuing his recovery from a recent injury which has made him unavailable for selection as of late.
Saturday’s postponement also meant that Simpson was unable to serve the final game of his two-match touchline ban, meaning he looks set to be constrained to the stands for a second consecutive home fixture.
Ticketing information:
Ticket prices online:
Adult – £14Concession/Senior (65+) – £9Student (17-24 with valid ID) – £4Youth (12-17) – £4Under-12s – Free
Supporters can also buy tickets on the day at Melbourne Community Stadium. Matchday turnstile prices are as follows:
Adult – £17.00Concession/Senior (65+) – £12.00Student (17-24 with valid ID) – £6.50Youth (12-17) – £6.50Under-12s – Free
How to follow the game:
Radio Clarets will be providing live audio commentary of proceedings at Melbourne Community Stadium.
The game is also being live streamed on National League TV, and supporters who can’t make the game can purchase streaming passes for the game via the National League TV website.
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Monday’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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