CHELMSFORD head into 2010 with a Blue Square Premier place firmly in their sights.

Pennyfather excited by City future

By Mike Bacon

CHELMSFORD head into 2010 with a Blue Square Premier place firmly in their sights.

Glenn Pennyfather's side are on an impressive run of just two defeats in 19, that has catapulted them into second place in Blue Square South.

And while Newport County would have to blow up considerably not to gain the one automatic promotion position, City ought to be right in the play-off mix.

Pennyfather is satisfied with the progress his side are making.

“We didn't set any goals at the start of the season, the infrastructure of the team changed and we lowered the age of the squad,” Pennyfather said.

“If we went up to the Conference (Blue Square Premier), this club would grace it, there is no doubt about that.

“From the top to the bottom it is superbly run and I'm very excited about the future.”

Today, City travel to Thurrock, the second time in a week the side's clash, after City beat Thurrock at Melbourne Park 1-0 on Boxing Day.

It's sure to be a feisty affair, as Pennyfather knows.

“It's an old clich�, but again it's a massive game for us,” he added.

“It's a local derby and they will want to get one over us after our win last week.

“Although we have a small squad, it is full of quality and they will run through brick walls for me. If we had just started a bit better this season, who knows what position we could be in?

“But as I have said, I'm very excited about the future.”

Certainly Chelmsford, with average crowds of more than 1,000, dwarfs many current Blue Square Premier sides with the size of their fan base.

A classic sleeping giant if ever there were one, the club have worked hard off the pitch to improve their facilities and will now look to kick-on in their pursuit of, at least, a Conference place.

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IN FACTFILE

Blue Square South

P W D L F A Pts

Newport Cty 22 16 5 1 43 9 53

Chelmsford 23 12 4 7 30 28 40

Woking 23 11 6 6 28 22 39

Thurrock 22 11 5 6 38 31 38

Dover 24 11 5 8 40 34 38

Braintree 21 9 9 3 28 21 36

Eastleigh 22 10 5 7 42 28 35

Bromley 21 10 5 6 35 29 35

Bath City 22 9 7 6 38 28 34

St Albans 24 9 5 10 29 30 32

Basingstoke 24 9 5 10 26 37 32

Staines 23 7 10 6 28 23 31

Welling U 23 9 4 10 27 30 31

B Stortford 22 8 6 8 30 27 30

Havant & W 19 6 9 4 24 21 27

Maidenhead 22 6 8 8 26 26 26

Dorchester 22 6 4 12 99 44 22

Hampton & R 20 5 6 9 27 32 21

Worcester 22 4 7 11 23 29 19

Lewes 21 3 8 10 22 34 17

Weston SM 23 4 4 15 30 48 16

Weymouth 21 2 5 14 15 47 11