Chelmsford City will be looking to continue their good form when they travel to The ReachTV Stadium.
The Clarets have lost just one of their last six National League South fixtures, leaving them just outside the top half of the table.
And on the back of earning a point at Chesham United in midweek, the Essex side will hope for a repeat of last season’s 3-0 win in East Sussex.
The Manager
Robbie Simpson was initially appointed as Interim Manager late January 2020 following Rod Stringer’s departure. After going unbeaten in 4 from mid-February, without losing at home, “Simmo” was appointed as the Club’s new permanent First Team Manager in March 2020.
Originally with Cambridge City, he moved into the Football League with Cambridge United before a big money move to Coventry City. He spent two years at the Ricoh Arena before moving on and played for numerous clubs including Oldham Athletic, a second spell with Cambridge and Exeter City.
Throughout his career he has also featured for Brentford, Oldham Athletic, Leyton Orient, Cambridge United for a second spell and most recently MK Dons, whom he helped gain promotion back to League One.
Simpson impressed with his work rate, versatility, and goal-scoring in his first season with the Clarets, before his move to the technical area.
Danger Man
Charlie Ruff joined from Isthmian Premier side Hornchurch, who he joined from Potters Bar in October 2020. He had a successful spell at the Urchins, winning the FA Trophy in 2021, and then reaching the playoff final in 2021/22. He also played a significant impact in Hornchurch’s FA Trophy final win against Hereford at Wembley Stadium.
Charlie has also played for Hertford, Broxbourne, and Wingate & Finchley so he has a solid level of experience in the non-league game. Ruff made 20 appearances scoring 7 goals for the Clarets in the 2022/23 Season after joining from Hornchurch in July 2022.
The 23-year-old departed for Havant and Waterlooville in November 2022 where he went on to score 5 goals in 23 National League South Appearances for the Hawks.
Following the end of the 2022/23 Season, Ruff departed Havant and Waterlooville and re-joined the Clarets ahead of the 2023/24 Season. He was instrumental in the side’s success as he topped the charts in terms of goals with 19 league goals to his name. In August 2024 he was named vice captain of the club.
Last Time We Met
The reverse fixture at Melbourne Stadium is one the Sports are keen to forget, and Adam Murray’s side will be out to avenge a 4-2 defeat back in October.
Chelmsford raced into a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time, and despite a spirited second-half fightback from Borough, thanks to two goals by Dominic Odusanya, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
Ruaridh Donaldson and Osman Foyo put the Clarets two goals up, before Jordan Greenidge struck either side of half-time to put the hosts in control.
Odusanya at least gave travelling Borough supporters something to cheer about with two goals of his own in Essex, but overall it was a disappointing afternoon for the Sports.
