CHELMSFORD City will welcome further professional opposition to Melbourne for a pre-season friendly on Friday, July 16, after a fixture was secured with npower Football League Two.

New boys Stevenage will visit for a 7.45pm kick-off against Glenn Pennyfather’s Clarets.

The Hertfordshire side, who progressed from the Blue Square Premier as champions last season, will compete under a new name this season having dropped the Borough moniker to represent a new outlook for the club.

The last meeting between the sides was an exciting FA Cup encounter in October, when Peter Vincenti’s injury time strike prevented City from earning a replay in the fourth qualifying round at Melbourne.

Chelmsford’s pre-season schedule begins this Saturday when a side will journey north to Ridgeons Eastern Counties League side Hadleigh United for a 3pm kick-off.

With the potential of one more match being added to the line-up, Chelmsford can look forward to a number of testing fixtures to prepare them for the new season, including: Saturday, July 3, Hadleigh United (A), kick-off 3pm.

Friday, July 16, Stevenage (H), kick-off 7.45pm.

Tuesday, July 20, Maldon & Tiptree (A), kick-off 7.45pm.

Wednesday, July 21, Leyton Orient XI (H), kick-off 7.30pm.

Saturday, July 24, Bradford City (H), kick-off 3pm.

Tuesday, August 3, Heybridge Swifts (A), kick-off 7.30pm.

Saturday, August 7, Canvey Island (A), kick-off 3pm Saturday, August 14, Blue Square Bet South Season Begins The World Cup is dead (for England, anyway).Long Live Cricket!

Brush aside your dose of Three Lions heartache and focus briefly on The Tangent Resourcing City Cricket Challenge, which will take place this year on Sunday, July 25, at Willingale Cricket Club!

The next instalment of Chelmsford City cricketing folklore, after a year’s hiatus, is likely to produce a keenly-anticipated contest as it returns to the sporting calendar just in time for a few players to fit a game in before they get too old!

Two teams of randomly-drawn Clarets will battle it out for the Tangent Cup. Participants and spectators will benefit from food, a licensed bar, bouncy castle, raffles and other games. The 35-over match will commence at 12.30pm and there are very limited slots available for potential players.

This is to raise funds for the Supporters Club and it costs just £10 to play. Contact Jon on 07825 303068 for full details.