Manager Glenn Pennyfather knows that a trip to Ryman League Premier Division title contenders Lowestoft Town in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup is about as stern a test as Chelmsford City could have hoped for, but he claims his Clarets squad are up to the task as they head to Suffolk for Saturday’s 3:00pm kick-off.

City emerged past fellow Blue Square Bet South club Tonbridge Angels in the last round by three goals to nil and Pennyfather is relishing another tricky encounter this time around against Lowestoft, who were top of their table until recently. The Clarets made it to the Second Round Proper last year but Glenn refuses to plan that far ahead just yet.

“There are so many ex-League clubs in the Conference nowadays the Fourth Qualifying Round would seem a little bit like the First Round Proper itself,” he explained after Thursday night’s training session. “We’d love to get the reward of going that extra step but, for now, we’re looking no further than the game that’s in front of us. That’s our focus.”

Lowestoft are now in second position in their division, just a point behind leaders Billericay Town. To get to this stage they had to overcome Heybridge Swifts by the odd goal in three at Scraley Road before securing a comfortable 3-0 victory away at Hemel Hempstead Town at the last stage. They made the First Round Proper themselves in 2009/10 and lost by a single goal away at Wrexham in the same season they won Division One North.

Glenn added: “It’s going to be tough as they’ve had lots of success, have a big budget and they have great players available to them. Apart from another Conference club we couldn’t have had a much tougher draw as Lowestoft will have confidence and belief on their own patch. But it’s as difficult a game for them as it is for us and we’ll also go there feeling we can win.”

Pennyfather will turn to Stuart Searle as City’s goalkeeper after he returned to fitness and Carl Pentney’s loan from Colchester United expired. However there are doubts over the condition of central midfielder and skipper David Rainford, winger Anthony Cook and fellow wide man Greg Morgan, who all have knocks and are unlikely to feature.

Lowestoft Town: Address: Crown Meadow, Love Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2PA. Phone: (01502) 573818. Position Last Season: 4th in the Ryman League Premier Division. Miles from Chelmsford: 88. Approx. Journey Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes. Nickname: The Trawler Boys. Team Colours: All Blue. Ground Capacity: 3,000 (500 Covered Terracing). Seats: 466. Official Website: www.lowestofttownfc.co.uk.

Travel Club Coach: This will depart the Clubhouse at 11:00am and opposite the County Hotel at the top of Duke Street at 11:15am. The return fare is £12 for adults and £8 for under 16s and the latest seat availability details can be obtained from Mark Fleming on (07506) 873741.

Directions to Crown Meadow: Follow the A12 to Lowestoft, then continue towards Great Yarmouth, through the town centre. Once you’re heading away from Lowestoft, turn left into Sussex Road. Continue to the far end of Sussex Road, then continue straight over into Oxford Road. Again continue to the far end of Oxford Road. Turn right onto Church Road, then turn left into Water Lane. The ground is located directly at the end of Water Lane, but the entrance is located at the far side of the ground. Turn left, along St Peter’s Road, and then immediately right into Beresford Road. The ground will now be on your right hand side. Continue to the end of Beresford Road, and turn right along Love Street, then the ground entrance is on your right. Nearest Train Station: Lowestoft (0.4 miles).

Weather Forecast: Sunny. 14 degrees Celsius. Wind 13 mph.

Blue Square Bet Odds: Lowestoft Town 2/1, Draw 5/2, Chelmsford City Evens. Do you fancy a flutter? Then visit www.bluesq.com/chelmsford where you can register to earn money for the Clarets when you open a brand new Blue Square account.

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