Chelmsford v Staines preview (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Chelmsford v Staines preview

10:09am Monday 25th January 2010

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HEAD Coach Glenn Pennyfather claims his Chelmsford City players will be left in no doubt as to what’s expected of them against Staines Town at Melbourne, kick-off 7.45pm on Monday night.

But he will have to do without inspirational captain Dave Rainford, who picked-up an ankle injury in Saturday’s slip-up against Basingstoke Town in the Blue Square South.

Rainford could be one of up to five players at risk of sitting out as the Clarets go in search of three points to make-up for a frustrating weekend, with Rob Edmans, Ricky Modeste, Mark Haines and Ricky Holmes all under supervision for knocks.

“I was extremely disappointed with Saturday’s game,” said Glenn of the 2-1 defeat. “Everyone was on a high then they came back down to earth with a match which, on paper, we should win.

"We didn’t have the spark required, but there can be no excuses.”

Edmans (thigh) and Modeste (ankle) both missed that fixture alongside Haines, who was a named substitute but unable to come on having felt a reaction to his foot problem in the pre-match warm-up.

Of fresh concern to Pennyfather is an impact injury to the ankle of Rainford, which could threaten his involvement against Oxford United next weekend, while Holmes faces a fitness test on a calf injury also sustained on Saturday.

Staines are making themselves known at this level having emerged from the Ryman League Premier Division play-offs last season and have fared much better since the Clarets won 1-0 in the reverse fixture in September.

Leaders Newport County are the only side to have beaten them since mid-December as Town have lifted themselves to ninth place in the table, just two wins from the play-off places.

“I’ve always said that my players are honest lads and they knew on Saturday that wasn’t good enough,” Glenn added with a competitive battle on the horizon.

“They’ve set their own high standards and when they don’t achieve them it hits us hard and people just love to come and spoil the party.

"We’re lucky we have a game two days later to put that right straight away, although Staines will be a very tough side to beat.”

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