Chelmsford City v Horsham
Enterprise National League South
Saturday 26 September 2026
3pm kick off
The Dunmow Group Community Stadium
The league’s only unbeaten side awaits on Saturday as the Hornets travel to Essex to take on Chelmsford City, who sit one place above them in the league, in 14th spot.
Fourteenth sounds very lowly for an unbeaten team, and it is. The reason? Draws, lots of them. Remarkably, seven of the Clarets’ eight matches this season have ended all square, with their sole victory being by the only goal against Maidenhead in August.
Five of the draws have ended 1-1, with one goalless. The only game to buck the trend and produce a hatful was against Dorking Wanderers, a 3-3 draw three weeks ago.
Past matches
Chelmsford came out on top in both fixtures last season. A 1-0 win on the opening day was secured by a late Harry Barbrook goal, and the same player was also on target in the return fixture. The Clarets had taken an early lead through Adam Crowther, but the Hornets appeared to have turned the tables when Shamir Fenelon equalised and a James Hammond penalty put them ahead with ten minutes to play, only for Barbrook to level matters. Things got even worse for the hosts when Jamie Odegah snatched an 89th-minute winner
The opposition
Having switched to a full-time operation last season and revamped their entire squad, Chelmsford perhaps unsurprisingly took a while to get going. Despite improved form as the campaign progressed, they were only able to manage tenth place, four points shy of the playoffs.
This time around, under hugely experienced manager Mark Cooper, and with names of the stature of John Still and Julian Dicks among the backroom staff, the Clarets will be looking to ensure that they finish at least three places higher.
Certainly they boast a squad of considerable pedigree, with the likes of ex-Southend United quartet Adam Crowther, Nathan Ralph, Cav Miley and Jack Bridge, the last of whom was the outstanding player as the Shrimpers beat Horsham in the FA Trophy quarter-final last year.
Although not particularly prolific so far, the squad boasts plenty of firepower in the shape of new arrivals Ashley Clarke, Leo Sery and George Alexander, not to mention ex-Premier League striker Lyle Taylor.
Form
DWDDDD. The form guide is notable for the lack of the letter L.
Horsham latest
The Hornets bounced back from the disappointment of the defeat to Chesham United with a 3-0 victory at Walton & Hersham in the FA Cup last Saturday. They left it late, though, with all three goals coming in the last ten minutes.
That tie saw a first start for Harry Hedges, returning to the club after a loan spell last season, while goalkeeper Michael Dike, signed as emergency cover from Brighton, produced a Man of the Match display.
Both will be in the squad again this weekend, but it is not yet clear who will be fit to join them. There are question marks over Greg Luer and Jake Elliott, who missed the Walton match through injury, while Reece Meekums is rated as 50/50 to make his return following a hamstring strain suffered at the start of the month.
Ryan Bartley has been unwell this week but, with 48 hours still to recover, stands a chance of being available. Marco Haigh definitely misses out, as he is suspended following his red card against Chesham.
“It’s been another week of juggling”, says Dom Di Paola, philosophically. “We’ll see where we stand after Thursday training, but Meeky has a chance and hopefully Ryan will be OK. We’ll have to assess Greg and Jake, but we have Michael and Harry for a month, which really helps us out.
“Chelmsford will be very tough. They have a really good group of players and are sure to be in the playoffs come the end of the season.”
Form
WLDDLW. Horsham take an unbeaten away record to Chelmsford, who have not lost anywhere. Will something give, or will it be yet another draw for the Clarets?
Travel and ticketing information
Address:
The Dunmow Group Community Stadium, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2EH
Tickets:
Please note that the match is fully segregated. Horsham fans can buy tickets in advance via this unique link:
https://chelmsfordcityfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/away_fans_ccfc_vs_horsham
Tickets are available on the gate, but there is a significant reduction if bought in advance.
Everything else that supporters need to know can be found in Chelmsford’s useful matchday guide https://chelmsfordcityfc.com/match-day-info/.