After a weekend off, The Sports will be raring to go as the battle for survival resumes this weekend.

Adam Murray’s side sit six points adrift of Taunton Town as the battle to preserve their National League South status resumes.

That comes after their scheduled trip to face Truro City was postponed last weekend. The match was due to be played at Taunton Town’s Wordsworth Drive home after the two clubs agreed a ground-share until the end of the campaign, with Plymouth Parkway’s pitch not deemed fit anymore.

Fortunately for The Sports, results elsewhere went their way. Weymouth were beaten 1-0 by Chelmsford in Essex, whilst Taunton Town suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat away at St. Albans City.

Whilst Havant & Waterlooville’s game with Welling United was postponed due to the Wings’ FA Trophy progress, Dover Athletic went down in a ten-goal thriller at Worthing. Ollie Pearce scored four for the Rebels in a 6-4 win at Woodside Road.

Last Time Out

With fifteen matches to go prior to kick off, the Sports know that they need to continue from their last home outing against Farnborough.

Archie Procter’s first senior goal gave the Sports an early lead, with Siya Ligendza’ second half penalty proving to be the winner after the visitors drew level before half time.

However, they were unable to follow that result up with any further points at Bath City a fortnight ago, despite having the better of the chances.

Ewan Clark got the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time in Somerset as Borough were made to pay for missed chances – none other than Pierce Bird’s glaring opportunity late on.

The match at Twerton Park also saw two old faces return to The Sports line up, with both Jake Hutchinson and Alfie Bendle returning to the club on loan from Queen of the South and Forest Green Rovers respectively.

Both enjoyed loan spells with the club last season, and will be looking to help the club out of their current predicament.

The Opposition

Chelmsford City have enjoyed a great season under Robbie Simpson, and come into the game in good form having lost just two of their last eleven league games – both of them away from home.

The Clarets returned to winning ways last weekend when Ipswich loanee Finley Barbrook fired in the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Weymouth. 

That win followed a 2-1 defeat at struggling Havant, despite Charlie Ruff scoring the opening goal. Two second half efforts gave the hosts all three points – including a late James Roberts penalty.

Head-to-Head

The Sports’ fortunes against their Essex opponents haven’t been that great historically, with Chelmsford winning 14 of the 24 previous meetings.

That includes a 1-0 win at Melbourne Community Stadium back in August, where Jermaine Francis’ goal proved to be the difference.

Last season, Michael Folivi’s late strike gave the Clarets a share of the spoils at Priory Lane. Having gone behind due to Callum Jones’ penalty, Borough turned the game around to lead in the second half with Miquel Scarlett and Luke Pearce on target. However, the visitors made it 2-2 with three minutes to go.

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