The Bucks will aim to keep the Clarets bottled up when they host Chelmsford City in the FA Trophy on Saturday, 14th November, as both teams take their first step on a road they hope will end at Wembley Stadium in May. Boosted by a recent run of strong league form, Kevin Wilkin and his team will seek to extend that sequence against their Essex opponents. The Clarets, who play at Step 2 in the Enterprise National League South, will no doubt have the same aspirations, to progress to round 3, so the scene is set for a tightly contested tie. The Bucks go into the game unbeaten in their last five matches, while the Clarets' form is also improving, with three wins from their last five.
Match Particulars
There are no replays in the FA Trophy so the tie will be settled on the day, with penalty kicks to decide the winner if the sides remain level after 90 minutes. There is NO extra time. The winners of the tie will receive £3,750, with the losers receiving £1,000.
Previous Meetings
The Bucks and Clarets haven't met competitively for some 15 years, and when they last met, it was the Essex side that ran out comfortable winners in a first-round FA Cup tie on home turf. It was a gloomy afternoon for the Bucks under manager Andy Sinton. The Bucks were a Blue Square Bet Premier side at the time but had no answer for an inspired Clarets side, who defied a one-division gap in status. The BBC website summarised the events: "Dave Rainford scored twice as Chelmsford thrashed Blue Square Bet Premier side AFC Telford to reach the second round of the FA Cup. Aiden Palmer put the Blue Square Bet South side ahead, beating two men before firing in a powerful shot. Craig Parker doubled the home side's advantage when Max Cornhill's scuffed effort fell to him in front of goal. Rainford made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Parker was fouled by Daniel Preston, and he headed in late on." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15604940
Recent Form
Chelmsford currently sit in eighth place in the Enterprise National League South, with a record of 5 wins, 10 draws, and just 1 defeat from 16 matches, giving them 25 points. The Clarets held the division's longest unbeaten record, having not lost a league fixture until a 2-0 home defeat by Farnham Town on 2nd November. However, although clearly difficult to beat, they have, until recently, found it harder to turn their unbeaten run into victories. Opening the season with three draws, they claimed their first win, a 1-0 home victory over Maidenhead United, on August Bank Holiday weekend. It took until 10th October to claim their second, but when it came, it arrived in style, with a 5-0 away victory over Chesham United. Their remaining three victories have come in their last five league fixtures, defeating Dover Athletic (1-0) and AFC Totton (3-1) on the road and claiming a 2-1 home victory over Farnborough last weekend. Two days later, in their now customary Monday evening 'midweek' fixture, they held leaders Ebbsfleet United to a 2-2 draw. Top Scorers: Jack Barham - 5 Harry Barbrook - 4 Ashley Clarke, Adam May, Leo Sery - 2 each Jack Bridge, Rhys Browne, Denzelle Olopade - 1 each
Facing the Bucks
Goalkeepers Chelmsford’s goalkeeping group blends experience and development. Adam Hayton, Billy Eastwood and Alfie Marriott provide competition between the posts, with the club maintaining a balance between established reliability and younger talent as part of the 2026/27 National League South squad. Defenders The Clarets’ defence combines proven National League pedigree with players who have risen through the non-league system. Adam Crowther joined from Southend United in January 2026 after previous spells with King’s Lynn Town, Royston Town and Cheshunt, helping the latter achieve promotion to National League South. Ben Tompkins arrived from Hemel Hempstead Town in June 2025 after featuring regularly at National League South level. A product of Luton Town, he also played a key role in Braintree Town’s promotion-winning campaign alongside fellow defender Joe Grimwood. On the left side, Cameron Green joined on loan from Solihull Moors in November 2026. Previously with Reading, Watford and Wrexham, he earned recognition through strong spells with Boston United before moving into the National League. The defensive unit is further strengthened by Kian Ronan, Harry Barbrook, Mandela Egbo, Joe Grimwood and Nathan Ralph, giving manager Mark Cooper a blend of youth, experience and versatility. Ralph lifted the FA Trophy last season as captain of Southend United, who defeated Wealdstone in the final on penalties. Midfielders Chelmsford have assembled a midfield packed with leadership and Football League experience. Cav Miley joined from Southend United in summer 2026 after more than 300 National League appearances. His journey from Jersey side St Pauls to Eastleigh and Southend saw him become a respected defensive midfielder and an FA Trophy winner. Creative midfielder Chay Cooper signed from Braintree Town after developing through the academies of Southend United and Tottenham Hotspur, later gaining senior experience with Colchester United, St Albans City and Hartlepool United. Denzelle Olopade joined from Dartford in June 2026 following two strong seasons that included 73 appearances and a play-off final. His career path has taken him through Norwich City, Crystal Palace, Ramsgate and Erith & Belvedere. Experienced attacker-midfielder Rhys Browne arrived from Barnet, bringing two National League title medals and international experience with Antigua and Barbuda. Club favourite Ricky Holmes returned from Farnborough in 2025 after a distinguished career with Northampton Town, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United. A League Two champion and PFA Team of the Year member, he now combines playing and coaching duties. Louis Dunne rejoined from Maldon & Tiptree in 2026, returning after making 72 appearances in an earlier spell while also helping develop Chelmsford’s academy as a coach. Jack Bridge completes an experienced midfield group. Forwards Chelmsford’s attack is led by former Championship and Premier League performer Lyle Taylor, who joined from Colchester United in August 2025 after finishing as the U’s top scorer. Taylor’s career includes promotions with AFC Wimbledon, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest, alongside over 50 goals for Wimbledon. Jack Barham arrived from Aldershot Town after helping the Shots win the FA Trophy, scoring in the final and earning Man of the Match. Earlier successes include promotion with Maidstone United and prolific scoring records across several non-league clubs. Young talents Leo Sery, signed from St Albans City, and Kamani McFarlane, recruited from Herne Bay, both joined in 2026 after outstanding goalscoring campaigns. Sery contributed 20 goals and 12 assists for St Albans, while McFarlane netted 19 goals for Herne Bay. The forward line is rounded out by Ashley Clarke, who joined on loan from Woking after a productive season with AFC Totton that yielded 10 goals and 10 assists.
Officials
Referee: Ben Robinson. Assistant Referee: Connor Fowler. Assistant Referee: Mark Hanson. Fourth Official: Tazlim Alli.
Colours
Bucks: Shirt: White Shorts: White Socks: White Clarets: Shirt: Purple Shorts: Purple Socks: Purple
How To Follow The Bucks (if you can't be there, of course!)
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the events in several ways. The Live Game Centre on our smartphone app and website will have live text updates. Our X feed will also carry text commentary, while our Facebook and Instagram feeds will provide updates on major events, such as team news, goals, the half-time and full-time scores. If you have the app, you’ll receive notifications of every goal, plus half-time and full-time scores. Finally, BBC Radio Shropshire will provide live match commentary on DAB and on the Sounds app. With plenty of options, you can follow the Bucks even when you can’t be there.