So after all the excitement and drama of Saturdays win against Tonbridge Angels, it's taken me until deep into Thursday afternoon to calm down enough to write a little piece about this weekend and our opponents, Chelmsford. 

So pre-season, I was having a little chat with the gaffer and I confessed to him that I have a £10 on Chippenham to win the league (but just in case that was a little too optimistic) I also backed Havant for £20 and I had a £10 on a dark horse, my dark horse? Chelmsford! 

Our Essex counterparts are looking to build on a bit of an underwhelming season last year after being the nearly men for the last few years. They went undefeated in pre-season and then opened the league with a 4-1 win at home to Hampton and Richmond. They have had a mixed start to the season and undoubtedly played much stronger teams than us so far however, sit one place below us in 14th on goal difference of -1 to our 0 hence we go into the game slightly on top. As mentioned in a previous, if someone told me after 10 games we would be one place above Chelmsford, I would have expected us to be around 2nd - 4th in the league, so this shows just how difficult this league can be. 

Chelmsford boast more depth in squad than a post on a forum would do justice with players experienced at both this and a higher level but a couple of key players to watch out for have to Jamar Loza. This is a man that Chippenham have come across a couple of times, first time I recall coming across Jamar he was the scorer of both goals as Woking came from 2-0 down to snatch a very undeserved draw at Hardenhuish Park, he was however a little quieter when he signed for Billericay in time to play the Bluebirds at the AGP Arena with Chippenham picking up all 3 points on the road. A current Jamaican international with 5 caps to his name and 1 international goal,he is very likely to be a threat throughout. Sam Higgins is a prolific goalscorer at this level and is also East Thurrock's all time top scorer with 275 goals in a career spanning two spells, excellent from the dead ball and lethal in front of goal. Chris Whelpdale, a player with plenty of league experience with over 150 league appearances with 100 of those appearances coming for Peterborough in the Championship and League One. Billy Knott is a huge signing for Chelmsford from Concord Rangers and Tom Wraight is a dangerous player on the wing. (Last one I promise) Chippenham purists may also recall Chelmsford's number one Carl Pentney from starring against Chippenham last season in our FA Cup games against M.... Mai.... Maiden..... No still can't bring myself to say it! Hurts too much! 

Ourselves, it would seem that we are without Puddy, Richards, Parselle, Tyler, and Luke Haines so we are not with out a little adversity this weekend however, one thing I know to be accurate this season is how much depth we have in our squad too and that we will be completely fine. Goalkeeper situation I am very confident the club have well in hand and Mark will no doubt be waving his magic wand and will pull another blinder out the bag for us. Rutty and McDonald is a perfect combo of pace and power in defence, Riggy has been awesome since coming in for Tyler and also Tariq/Rigg being able to move around the pitch and accommodate the other well and Haines has replacements in Evans/Gunner and dare I say.... Yan? I am quietly confident that against all odds this weekend we can go to Essex and sneak something from the game. 

As always people, stay cool and join the optimistic army! 

Voice ;)