Chelmsford and Iron lock horns tonight

CHELMSFORD City head coach Glenn Pennyfather has revealed the potential to compete against teams from Step One of the non-league pyramid provides one of the driving forces behind Manager Jeff King's aim to progress in the Setanta Shield, starting with rivals Braintree Town at Melbourne tonight, kick-off 7:30pm.

The Clarets will lock horns with Lee Patterson's North Essex opposition for the second time this season, and Pennyfather is keen to go one better than the draw fought-out last time around: “We want to have a good run in the Setanta Shield so we can pit our wits against some of the Blue Square Premier teams. The rules of the Competition dictate that we have to play a strong squad, and that's not a bad thing. Most of the players who were involved on Saturday against Eastleigh will be involved again.”

Missing once more for the home team will be former Braintree defender Ian Cousins, who continues to nurse his hamstring injury, while Chris Duffy will now be joining him on the treatment table in the short term. “Duffs has hurt his groin, which could keep him out of action for a couple of weeks,” explained Glenn.

An injury time Kevin James goal rescued a point for City in the Blue Square South meeting between the two sides in August, but Pennyfather is anticipating a totally different pattern of play for this encounter: “We're aware of the local rivalry, which is bound to add a little to the match, but really it's just another game. I don't think Braintree will be coming here for revenge after our late equaliser against them as they equally came and did a job to frustrate us. They will need to come out more in this tie and we're expecting a tough match.”

This fixture kicks-off at the slightly earlier than usual time of 7.30pm as part of the club's policy to provide for the possible eventuality of extra time and penalties and a later finish should the scores be level at full time.