Saturday’s visitors Chelmsford City find themselves one point and one place adrift of the Angels in National League South, a mid-table position a long way short of expectations at the season’s start.

Robbie Simpson has been Chelmsford's manager since 2020 but, in a similar fashion to our own Jay Saunders, he will be leaving at the end of the season to be replaced by ex-Braintree Town boss Angelo Harrop. Simpson was initially appointed caretaker manager following Rod Stringer's departure but made such a good start he was made permanent manager in March 2020. He had been signed as a player in 2019 and also played in the EFL for Cambridge United, Coventry City, Oldham Athletic and Milton Keynes Dons.

Certainly, goalscoring has not been a reason for their mid-table placing with 60 goals, only four clubs have scored more, and in their previous visits to Kent they put five past Maidstone United and took maximum points from a single goal win at Welling United.

Osman Foyo contributed 12 of those goals, but has since returned to his parent club Ipswich Town while Kane Crichlow is just one behind on 11. However he will not be available on Saturday as he has been called up to play for Bermuda in the CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary round against Honduras. There is also the familiar face of Jordan Greenidge in Chelmsford’s squad, who played for the Angels between 2022 and 2024 scoring 26 goals in 59 games. He has scored six times for Chelmsford this season.

The reverse fixture at Melbourne Park, back in August, ended in a 1-1 draw with a goal from the hosts’ Jake Hyde cancelling out Liam Vincent’s first half strike. The evening will be less than fondly remembered by Angels supporters as the game that never happened as traffic chaos meant that many never even made it through the Dartford Tunnel.

The corresponding fixture last season also ended 1-1 with Scott Wagstaff putting the Angels in front early in the game with ex-Angel Luke Jenkins equalising in a game that also saw Ben Swift sent off.

Jay Saunders will be hoping to welcome back Mikey Berry, who was cup-tied at Ebbsfleet but took part in the warm-up but sadly it would appear that injuries to Mo Dabre and Gianluca Botti will see them ruled out.

Admission prices for Saturday’s game are: Adults £17; Concessions £14; Youths £7 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE. But, to celebrate Non-League Day, season ticket holders from Premier or EFL clubs can receive entry for £12 on production of their season ticket.

Gates open at 1 pm with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset with special offers of two pints of Madri for £9 or two pints of Carling for £8. The Tea Hut serving burgers, hot dogs, butties, hot and cold drinks and Fries Like An Angel, serving all your favourite loaded chips are also open from 1 pm. The Pie Shack opens from 1.30 pm. After the game, the Sports Bar will be open including the Happy Hour, with £1 off all pints of draught lagers and ciders with the special offer drinks price continuing.

Our award-winning programme, priced at £3 will feature reflections from Jay Saunders, club captain Scott Wagstaff, board member Mark Cornish plus reports from our men’s and women’s first team games plus youth teams.

Saturday’s sponsor is Jim Rowe, a long-term supporter and formerly Press Officer and a Club Director, alongside his wife Angie, his son Simon and daughter Susie, both also long-term supporters with their children. We hope that they, and their guests, enjoy their day. 

Enjoy the game!