Taylor happy at 'sharp end' for Chelmsford FA Cup tie

Lyle Taylor joined Chelmsford after his hopes of a new deal with Colchester United came to nothing

Striker Lyle Taylor is still enjoying life at the "sharp end" of football as he prepares for an Essex derby in Chelmsford City's FA Cup first-round tie against Braintree Town.

The 35-year-old last scored in the competition for Nottingham Forest against Cardiff City in 2021 and is bang in form with 10 goals in nine games in all competitions for his latest club.

Taylor was Colchester United's top scorer in League Two last season despite suffering a calf injury in April which prevented him playing again for the club.

He had hoped to stay with the U's but when no agreement could be reached over a new contract, he opted to drop two levels and join Chelmsford.

"It's a new challenge, a different challenge, it's not something I'm used to but I'm enjoying it and personally it's going well," he told BBC Essex.

"You do notice there is a difference in level but the job remains the same. The job is for me to do everything I can for my team to win games, whether that's picking up points or getting through rounds in the cup, that doesn't change."

Chelmsford are hoping to reach round two for the first time since the 2012-13 season, and 12th time in all.

They are 14th in National League South, a gap of 17 places to Braintree, who play in the top tier of non-league football.

"I happen to be at the sharp end of the pitch where your job is to put the ball in the goal. If I'm putting the ball in the goal but not enough times to win the game, then there's still something wrong - so as it stands now, there is still stuff for us to work on," said the Montserrat international.

Taylor's best FA Cup memories include scoring a hat-trick for Charlton Athletic against Mansfield Town and playing for AFC Wimbledon against Tottenham Hotspur.

He said: "I've got good memories of the FA Cup, but it's about trying to make new best memories - the aim is to put in a performance that our fans can be proud of, we can be proud of in the dressing room, the manager can be proud of, the owner can be proud of."

Taylor lives near Braintree, who beat Chelmsford in the 2024 NLS play-offs, and added: "The league is always the most important thing - that's not to disrespect the cup competitions - (but) it's great that we get to play in the first round of the FA Cup and it's on TV, a game against a local rival."

Should Chelmsford progress, he would love a second-round tie against previous club Colchester, who are at home to MK Dons on Saturday - a match he believes would be "poetic".