Clarets Cruise to Good Friday Glory as Holmes Era Gets Off to a Flyer

National League South · The Dunmow Group Community Stadium · 3 April 2026

Chelmsford City marked the beginning of a new chapter with a thoroughly professional 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Enfield Town on Good Friday, handing interim manager Ricky Holmes the perfect start to his tenure at the Dunmow Group Community Stadium.

Holmes was appointed on an interim basis following the club's decision to part company with Angelo Harrop in the days leading up to the Easter weekend. He made two changes to the side that had drawn with AFC Totton on Monday, recalling Archie Tamplin and Tristan Abrahams to the starting XI.

Despite playing into a strong wind throughout the first half, City controlled the contest from the off. Lyle Taylor was at the heart of everything going forward, testing Enfield goalkeeper Joe Wright with a well-struck free kick before the visitors' stopper denied him again with a curling effort from the edge of the area. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute, when Jason Adigun's pass released Abrahams on the right flank. His cross to the back post was met by Taylor, who poked the ball into the bottom corner to secure his 27th goal of the season and send Holmes into his first half-time team talk in the lead.

The second period brought more of the same from the Clarets. Taylor went close again three minutes after the restart, only to be denied by Wright once more. As City continued to press, the game was effectively sealed by a brace of second-half goals. Tamplin added to his influence in midfield with a strike that put daylight between the sides, before substitute Anthony Papadopoulos capped the afternoon in style.

Papadopoulos, who arrived on loan from Crawley Town, replaced Taylor and made an immediate impact. A quick throw-in from the striker found the on-loan forward in space; he beat two Enfield defenders before coolly slotting into the bottom corner to register his first goal for the club. It was a moment briefly delayed — play had been halted for an extended spell of stoppage time following an incident involving a supporter and Enfield goalkeeper Wright — but the Clarets used that break to their advantage.

The 3-0 victory lifts Chelmsford into 10th place in the National League South table, now just two points adrift of the play-off positions. Attention turns swiftly to Easter Monday, when Holmes will lead his side on a short trip to Victoria Road to face local rivals Dagenham & Redbridge.

Chelmsford City XI

Phillips (GK); Egbo, Tompkins, Grimwood, Barbrook; Odusanya (C), Tamplin; Murphy (Crichlow 65'), Adigun (Barham 80'), Abrahams (Papadopoulos 65'); Taylor