From the Iron edition of the Chronicle ...
BRAINTREE Town will have three of their key players back from injury for this weekend's double header.
Manager Robbie Garvey is also keen to see how the other players respond to their first Blue Square South defeat of the season on Saturday.
Striker Sean Marks, full-back Ryan Peters and midfielder Jacob Mingle will all come into the reckoning for the short trip to Welling United on Saturday, which is followed two days later with a home local derby against Chelmsford City.
"It will be good to have the three injured players back in the squad, fully fit and raring to go," said Garvey. "I felt we did miss them in the defeat against Havant but having more players available obviously gives you more options with selection."
But Garvey, who was full of praise for his young side's performance against a far more experienced Havant & Waterlooville side, is keen to see how they react to the first defeat of the season.
"We're working on different things in training this week and I know they will work hard but the key is to see how each one reacts after Saturday's defeat," Garvey explained. "Most of them are still young and learning but I think they have all done well so far in our first five games.
"We gave away two sloppy goals against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday and paid for it although on the day they were the better side so I have no qualms about the result."
The Iron, now fifth in the league after Saturday's results, face two stiff games this weekend but Garvey is undaunted adding: "I'm more worried about how we play on the day and I've been pleased so far in all our games and with our fitness and effort."
And Garvey is certainly not expecting any favours from his old club, Chelmsford City, when they arrive at Cressing Road on Bank Holiday Monday.
"They will be smarting after their 4-0 defeat at Newport County on Saturday and want to put things right," he said. "It's a local derby and I hope fans come out to support us because it's appreciated."
Garvey also asks Iron supporters to be patient with his young side adding: "I hope they can understand what we are trying to do and will continue to back us and win, lose or draw we will always thank them at the end of the game.
"I know it can be frustrating at times watching from the stands but we have a young side that's learning and they will at times make mistakes.
"I believe we're on the right road and the side will get to play better as the season progresses.
"We all know money is tight but I hope that supporters feel they are getting value for money and we will continue to play our football and the players won't lack effort either."
Off the field a recent suggestion by club chairman Lee Harding that fans should pay to park their cars at Cressing Road home matches and be given a free programme as part of the deal has been met with little encouragement from supporters.
"There hasn't been a particular response to the idea but another suggestion that we introduce an executive car park with a fee to park there will be looked at," Harding explained.
Link:
www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/football/BRAINTREE-Iron-trio-set-return-injury/article-1285538-detail/article.html
