How was your weekend Angels fans? Ready to go again!

On Tuesday evening we welcome Chelmsford City to the Yeomans Community Stadium, who make the relatively short, but rarely easy, journey over the QE2 Bridge. 

Chelmsford are the National League South's longest serving club, currently playing their 17th year in a row at this level. In that time their best season was coming second in 2024, they have reached the play-offs seven times, but only once have they got to the final, in 2017 when they were beaten by Ebbsfleet United.  

Last season Robbie Simpson, who had been in charge since 2020, left the club to be replaced by ex-Braintree Town boss Angelo Harrop.  

After coming 11th last season, much was expected from Chelmsford this season with a move to a full time model, and summer talk of Andy Carroll joining the club before his move to Dagenham. At the present time it's not league games Chelmsford fans are talking about, it's their excellent 4-1 win over Braintree Town in the televised Essex derby in the FA Cup First Round giving them their longest cup run since 2013. In National League South they sit 14th, on the same points as Tonbridge, but with a game in hand. On the road they have recorded victories at Bath City and Dover Athletic from their seven games.

Two of our current players, Bradley Williams and Arthur Penney, joined in the summer from Chelmsford, Bunmi Babajide also had a spell at the Essex side, while the only ex-Angel in the City squad is Jason Adigun who had a loan spell last season from Dagenham and Redbridge.

Perhaps the best known names in their side are Lyle Taylor, who was a star man in the Charlton Athletic side which won promotion in 2019 and another former Charlton man Ricky Holmes.

In goal is likely to be the former Ebbsfleet and Worthing goalkeeper Chris Haigh, who like many of the Clarets squad, was a summer signing. In midfield, captain Dom Odusanya was in the Eastbourne Borough side which came second in this league last season, and is remembered for his time at Maidstone United, whilst Holmes, who also has a coaching role, as he did at his last club Farnborough, is still doing it at 38 having had EFL experience with Barnet, Portsmouth, Charlton, Sheffield United and Northampton.

In the forward positions, Adigun signed from Kidderminster although was on loan at Eastbourne. He scored on his Tonbridge debut during his loan spell last season and also scored his first for Chelmsford in Saturday’s FA Cup tie. Taylor, top scorer with 12, although only four in the league, left Colchester United to join Chelmsford in the summer. He won promotion with AFC Wimbledon in 2015, Charlton in 2019 to the Championship and was in the Nottingham Forest squad when they won promotion to the Premier League.

Last season’s corresponding fixture, which was the last home game with Jay Saunders in charge, was won 2-1 with goals from Sean Shields and a cracker from Taylor Maloney. Nico Valentine scored for the visitors.

Admission prices for Tuesday’s game are: Adults £18; Concessions £15; Youths £8 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE 

Gates open at 6 o’clock with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset with the special offer of Carling at £4.50 a pint, or two pints for £8 and Happy Hour between 6 pm and 7 pm when there is £1 off all draught beers. 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 6 pm. The Pie Shack opens from 6.30 pm. After the game, the Sports Bar will be open with the Carling offer continuing.

Enjoy the game!