Historical significance is just one of the motivations Chelmsford City’s Glenn Pennyfather will highlight to his players before the Clarets take on long time rivals Dartford at Melbourne on Bank Holiday Monday.
City and the Darts fans have enjoyed some memorable contests going back decades and the re-emergence of both clubs after spells of exile has thrown them back together in the Blue Square Bet South, with both needing the points for different reasons.
Having made an indifferent start to life at this level following a romp towards the Ryman League Premier Division title last season, Dartford found their feet to record notable results against Bishop’s Stortford and Kent neighbours Ebbsfleet United. Meanwhile, after three opening wins, two recent defeats have given Pennyfather food for thought.
“We have many generations of fans at this club, which is great as that’s what builds a strong fan base for the future,” he said. “I know how much the Dartford fixture means to both sets of fans. Dartford have had a mixed start but we’re still expecting yet another tough game. This will be a test of the flexibility and depth of our squad.”
His selections for the game will potentially be hampered by fitness tests for James Pullen in goal as well as right-back Ben Nunn and midfield playmaker Matthew Lock. City’s Head Coach hopes to have as many players as possible to choose from as he attempts to respond immediately to the Braintree loss and retain his side’s excellent home form.
He added: “Everybody is disappointed at Saturday’s result and now I’ve had the time to think about it they wanted it more than us and I can’t accept that. We didn’t deserve anything out of the game in retrospect. I loved our away form and results last year but we didn’t mirror that at home and I want that to change. We want people to see our formidable home record and know that Chelmsford is a difficult place to come to.”
