CHELMSFORD: Injuries take their toll following cup defeat

CHELMSFORD boss Glenn Pennyfather says he is "dreading" today (Thursday) when he finds out the extent of injuries to a host of key players.

City crashed out of the semi-finals of the Essex Senior Cup 4-3 to AFC Hornchurch on Tuesday night and despite drafting in some younger members of the squad, first teamers Ricky Holmes, Anthony Cook, Ricky Modeste and Matthew Lock all picked up injuries.

"You always dread roll-call on the Thursday because this is such an important time of the season," said Pennyfather yesterday (Wednesday).

"Ricky Modeste has lost a tooth, fractured four others and split his lip and is in hospital, so I'm waiting for a report and the others have all picked up knocks so I'm just hoping they are okay.

"I have got a very thin squad so I wanted to give some of the younger members of the squad a game to avoid getting injuries but that's exactly what I have ended up with."

The Clarets boss was naturally disappointed that his side failed to retain the Essex Senior Cup they won last year, but said he had to prioritise promotion from Blue Square South, where they currently lie in second place.

But with only one automatic promotion spot and Newport County virtually assured of the title, Pennyfather knows there is still a long way to go before they secure a play-off place.

He said: "Obviously at the moment I wish there was an automatic spot for second but we all know the rules at the start of the season.

"I will be very frustrated if we finish in second and then lose to a team that are twenty points behind and it is a bit of a lottery.

"What we don't need is injuries, because there are nine games left and the players are very focussed, like they have been all season.

"We have got a big game against Weston on Saturday and although they are not doing too well they gave us a hard time at our place, there are no easy games."

On the cup defeat he added: "It's obviously disappointing to be so close, but we wanted to do well in the competition and to be fair we have done."

It was an eventful game with Hornchurch taking a seventh minute lead, but City hit back through a stinging volley from Holmes on the half hour mark.

Just before the break disaster struck for the Clarets when the home side scored two quick fire goals to put them 3-1 up at the half-time.

It nearly got worse for the visitors after the break but goalkeeper Ashley Harrison pulled off a penalty save, however, they did go 4-1 behind on 76 minutes when Jo Flack grabbed his second of the tie.

City tried to stage a remarkable come back with a Dave Rainford penalty and an 87th minute goal from Rob Edmans, but it wasn't enough.

On rumours that other clubs are looking at 6ft 7ins striker Edmans, Pennyfather said: "He is a really good player, but he still needs time to develop.

"This is his first year in the game from university and he needs to work on his strength, but he has got all the attributes to be a top player."