Chelmsford face huge test tonight.

CHELMSFORD skipper Andy Duncan rates tonight's home play-off semi-final first leg against Hampton & Richmond Borough as “the biggest match since I've been involved with the club” as Jeff King's squad prepare for their season finale with a place in the Blue Square Premier in their sights.

Chelmsford meet second-placed Hampton at Melbourne, kick-off 7:45pm, looking to make the most of home advantage ahead of the return leg at the Beveree on Saturday afternoon, and City's Captain has confirmed every player is fully focussed on bringing glory to the club. “It's always been important to keep focussed and ensure we take momentum into the play-offs,” he claimed after the 4-1 weekend win over Weston-super-Mare. “We were low on confidence around the turn of the year when the title began to slip away so we've had our eyes on this scenario for a while.”

Both teams will be endeavouring to advance to a place in the final on Thursday 7th May against either Eastleigh or Hayes & Yeading United, the higher-placed of the two finalists hosting the promotion decider. Duncan, who captained City to the Ryman League Premier Division title last season, is also aware of some of Hampton's strengths having only played them three weeks ago. He recalled: “We knew they would be direct, but not quite as direct as they were, and that long throw is a weapon they can use from anywhere in our half. We have to make sure we're prepared for them this time around.”

Duncan continued: “This game is definitely the biggest since I've been with the Clarets, as there's so much riding on it. I've never played in play-offs before so this will be a new experience for me but I know that whatever's happened in the past 42 games now counts for nothing as anything can happen. If we're at our best I think we will win.”