Glenn Pennyfather believes his confident Chelmsford City squad can secure a rare win at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.
The Clarets take-on newly-promoted Staines Town at a ground which has proved notoriously difficult to obtain a positive result.
City’s handful of recent fixtures against the Massive on their own patch have ended in nothing more than a point on each occasion, but Pennyfather knows his squad have what it takes to turn that history around, claiming: “We like to think we can get something out of every game and I’m a great believer that records are there to be broken, so hopefully we can buck that trend. The players are buzzing and the last four or five training sessions have been really upbeat, with the dressing room is busy and full of banter.”
Aside from the long-term absences of midfielder Ollie Berquez and defender Simon Glover, the only concern is over centre half Ben Martin, who hobbled out of the win over Lewes on Monday night. “We’ll be keeping an eye on how he is and he may have to have a fitness test,” Pennyfather continued. “Other than that, the players who picked-up knocks on Monday have recovered and we’re otherwise at a full compliment.”
Staines are new to the Blue Square South having followed City up from the Ryman League via the play-offs and they’ve made a decent start, with one more point than the Clarets in ninth place.
After winning their opening two games and losing their third, Town went on a run of five consecutive draws prior to last Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory at St Albans City.
Pennyfather observed: “Staines have been together a while and have been similar for a few years now. They’ve always been a sharp side in our previous encounters and like to play the ball quickly on a nice surface. We’re going there full of confidence.”
