ON THE WHISTLE MATCH REPORT | Hemel Town 1-1 Chelmsford City

Written by Callum Humphrey

A 99th-minute Alfie Marriott own goal cancelled out Rhys Browne’s strike for the guests, on a baking afternoon in Hertfordshire. 

The Clarets looked comfortable for the majority of the matchup, but the Tudors’ late pressure eventually paid dividends as new manager Lee Bircham snatched a point in his first outing.

David Agbontohoma fired a long-range effort onto the roof of the net in the early stages for the Tudors, but the first half-an-hour of the season was otherwise short of noteworthy action. 

Denzelle Olopade launched a powerful effort into the hands of Michael Johnson on 33 minutes, before the hosts wasted a three-on-one opportunity at the other end, Jake Tabor turning down the shot to instead find teammate Jesse Effe, but he slipped before he could get his effort away. 

It didn’t take long for the Clarets to capitalise, Mandelo Egba’s whipped low cross from the right-flank finding Rhys Browne who made no mistake in scoring the opening goal of the 2026/27 campaign at The Focus Community Arena.

Half-Time Score: 0-1

They almost doubled their lead early in the second half, Browne blazing just past the far post after a lightning-fast counter-attack from the guests. 

Browne saw a header saved, before Tudors Captain Charlie Rowan directed his wide at the other end as the hosts searched for an equaliser.  

They piled the pressure on and after a series of corners, they were rewarded in the ninth minute of additional time. 

The set-piece was fired towards Clarets keeper Marriot, and his fumble directed the ball into the back of the net, despite fierce protests from the guests, to cue delirium from the home fans.

Full-Time Score: 1-1