CHELMSFORD City’s future is bright according to assistant manager Ben Chenery, who is revelling in his coaching role after making hundreds of appearances himself.

The former Football League defender confirmed the Clarets’ players have quickly put last Saturday’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Staines Town behind them.

Chenery, who operates alongside manager Glenn Pennyfather in the City dugout, believes the younger players at the club are still in a development process which will continue to pay dividends.

This weekend they face a crucial trip to fellow promotion chasers Welling United.

Staines recorded their second surprise win in a fortnight after a win at leaders Woking two weeks ago, but Chenery assures that City’s players have learnt from the experience.

He said: “These youngsters are only going to get better, and that means a positive future for Chelmsford City.

“Each loss is a learning curve and great footballers learn from their mistakes so they don’t make the same ones again.

“I’ve seen them physically grow in confidence this season and this setback won’t affect that.

“Training has been at a good tempo and we’ve ironed a few things out.

“Glenn and I are both naturally upbeat people and when we’ve had a bad result we assess it then quickly move on.”

Sports therapist Chris Duffy will assess the condition of Adam Tann before the Welling game after he limped off on Saturday.

City’s opponents are one of a pack of at least three clubs aiming to chip away at Woking’s sizeable lead at the top of the Blue Square Bet South, and Chenery claims there is plenty of scope for optimism.

Ben said: “Football’s funny, like when we were nine points clear in 2009 and everyone thought we were home and dry.

“Over Christmas someone reminded me of a time when Stevenage were 11 points behind the leaders and they fought back to win their league by 11 points themselves.

“We’ve got a lot of talent here and I honestly believe that, until it’s mathematically impossible, we’ve got a chance.”

Chelmsford now have promotion as their sole aim, with no cup distractions, and he added: “If you study the history, teams challenging at all levels who have gone out of cup competitions have gone on to do well in the league.

“As much as we all enjoy our cup runs, like we have this year, we’re not going to win the FA Cup and sometimes playing so many games is tough. It’s our job to keep the players down to earth.”

As a player, Chenery spent two years as a trainee at Luton Town from 1995 before moving to Cambridge United, where he made nearly 100 appearances.

After six years at Kettering Town he then spent a similar spell at Canvey Island, lifting the FA Trophy at Villa Park. He moved to City alongside manager Jeff King and several team-mates in 2006 and went on win the Ryman League Premier Division title in 2007/08.

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