Bouncing back may be a football cliché, but it’s exactly the response Glenn Pennyfather wants from his Chelmsford City players after their set-back at Welling United when they tackle local rivals Braintree Town at Cressing Road on Saturday.
The Clarets started the new Blue Square Bet South campaign with three consecutive and morale-boosting wins against tough opponents but were brought back down to earth with an injury time defeat in Kent on Tuesday. Pennyfather thinks the heat of their next fixture will give his players an ideal chance to respond.
“It was disappointing on Tuesday – we had enough offensively but defensively we were poor – and this will be another tough game, a local derby away from home,” Pennyfather said. “Whatever stage of the season and whatever the positions of the two teams these are always intense matches and I know the supporters will get right behind us.
“These are the same players who started the season so magnificently and we’re still the top scorers in the division. We lacked concentration and coordination against Welling but our defence was also very solid against Woking and Eastleigh so I want to get back to that. We need to remember we’ve got no given right to go out and win.”
Braintree have made an excellent start to the new season themselves and are one of only two teams above Pennyfather’s men in the table. New boss Rod Stringer sifted through his squad over the summer and has made a quick impact, his defence taking four games to concede their first goal. Wins against Farnborough and Maidenhead United have especially impressed as the Iron also seek a place in the promotion shake-up.
City have players carrying knocks into the weekend, although Pennyfather believes everyone should be in a position to play by kick-off. Included in his plans will be Liam Bellamy, a young right-back who can also operate in central midfield. He was an unused substitute at Welling and Pennyfather explained: “Liam is a good, young prospect who has had offers from a whole host of others clubs but he likes it here and wants to do well for us.”
