CHELMSFORD City assistant manager Glenn Pennyfather is going into today's Ryman League Premier Division opener at Margate full of confidence.Pennyfather said: “No doubt a point would be nice at Margate but we're going for all three.

CHELMSFORD City assistant manager Glenn Pennyfather is going into today's Ryman League Premier Division opener at Margate full of confidence.

Pennyfather said: “No doubt a point would be nice at Margate but we're going for all three. We've spent a long time focussing on this game and I doubt they will be relishing a visit from Chelmsford City on the opening day of the season.”

Jeff King's sidekick in the dugout is thrilled with the progress made relating to the playing staff over the summer and, fresh from a 7-0 trouncing of Witham Town last weekend, City's players are raring to go ahead of their trip to Kent.

King and his coaching team have been busy re-structuring their squad since May's play-off heartbreak but Pennyfather doesn't believe the huge influx of talent will prove a problem to manage. He said: “This is a squad game so I don't think we have too many players as this season we need to be more flexible with both tactics and personnel.

“We have put a team together that probably would have won the title last year as we are stronger now, without a doubt.

“You only have to look at who we brought off the bench against Witham to see how much strength in depth we have which will prove crucial as it's all well and good being strong at Melbourne, but we also need to be more resilient away from home.”

Meanwhile, Heybridge Swifts are hosting Hendon today. Swifts manager Brian Statham has confirmed two new signings ahead of the match with youth team goalkeeper Jamie Bowyer also offered a one-year contract.

Joining from recently-promoted Bromley is young striker or wide man Kenny Kennedy. Kennedy was leading scorer at Aveley in Ryman Division One North before joining Bromley last season.

Joining on a season-long loan from Coca Cola League Two outfit Dagenham & Redbridge, is centre forward Matthew Batt.

Elsewhere, Braintree Town will look to build on their good start to the Blue Square South season at home against Eastleigh.

Today also marks the start of the FA Cup preliminary rounds. Stanway Rovers travel to Bedfont Green, FC Clacton host Desborough Town, Halstead Town host Wellingborough Town, while Tiptree United host Sawbridgeworth Town.