Although still depleted with an extraordinary injury list, Chelmsford City manager Gary Bellamy is confident that his patched up side can maintain their current winning form when they entertain Stamford in a Dr Martens League Eastern Division match at New Lodge.

Still without goalkeeper Paul Catley, midfielder Shane Bailey and strikers Steve Morris and Tesfaye Bramble - all of whom should be fit for the following Saturday's vital visit to league leaders Folkestone Invicta - Bellamy plans to start with the same eleven that did so well in last Saturday's physical encounter at Bashley.

One new addition to the squad though would have been former Heybridge Swifts and Burnham Ramblers striker Steve Harding, who should have had a first run out for the club in Wednesday's Eastern Floodlight Competition defeat to Bowers United, but he failed to turn up for the game along with Danny Hazle.

Harding has been a proven goalscorer at senior level in recent years and could have helped City through their present injury crisis.

Delighted at another three points from the trip to the New Forest, Bellamy said: "We had the better of the game throughout, and we created the few chances that were made in what we knew would be a difficult encounter in view of the recent matches with Bashley."

Bellamy admitted that he had missed the crucial winning goal by Ollie Berquez because he was engaged in some verbal touchline banter with the veteran Jimmy Case, Bashley's boss!

"The first thing I saw were the lads congratulating Ollie, but I'm told it was a good strike and 1-0 was quite good enough as it meant three more points," he said. "This keeps us up among the leaders which is important''.

Bellamy criticised the dreadful state of the Bashley pitch, describing it as an embarrassment at any senior level as it resembled a ploughed field.

"We couldn't play football on it but the players kept their concentration which what was needed and we escaped any serious injuries," he said.

"In our last eight league games we have conceded just one goal and have achieved 40 points from 20 games which is good form," he said.

"Our target has to be at least 80 points and with 14 of our remaining 22 games at home, it is possible for us to achieve it."

Bellamy also praised the performances of stand-in goalkeeper Gavin Kelly, and the central defending pair of John Bishop and John Girling in particular for their part in the Bashley win.

He added: "Obviously Folkestone is a big game but it's important the players stick to their task against Stamford and pick up the points - I"m quite happy for another 1-0 win and I don't mind missing the goal either!"

For City's match against Stamford, the Supporters Club coach will leave opposite the County Hotel in Chelmsford at 2pm.

The return fare is £1.50 and no bookings are required.

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