Clarets Manager Glenn Pennyfather has issued a plea for additional ball boys and girls to help out at Melbourne Stadium on Saturday at 3:00pm as heavy winds threaten to affect the Blue Square Bet South clash between City and Sutton United, who equally harbour promotion ambitions.

The open nature of City’s home means stray balls can often take time to retrieve and the brilliant work of youth team players and other young volunteers has helped to keep problems to a minimum. But, as further gale force gusts are expected to batter the nation over the weekend, Glenn knows their assistance will be especially crucial.

“Wind provides the most difficult conditions possible to play in and the winners will be the team who deals with it best,” he explained after reminding his squad at Thursday’s training session. “It’s as vital as ever that our players concentrate for the full length of the game and make the right decisions because it’s going to be difficult.”

Sutton are in fifth place in the table, six points behind the second-placed Clarets with two games in hand. They’ve embarked on a similar FA Cup run this season, taking on Notts County live on TV at Gander Green Lane, and their Christmas and New Year results have seen them draw 1-1 at Boreham Wood then have the return match abandoned due to a heavily waterlogged pitch.

The U’s defeated much-fancied Welling United in a seven-goal thriller in mid-December and Glenn commented: “They’ve come up from the Ryman League and done very well, with some experienced players. We’ve got to be at our best to get anything out of this and show the same levels of concentration that we have been.”

City’s rivals all appear to have winnable games on Saturday, though Glenn has drawn comfort from some of the Premier League results of late, adding: “Every team is fighting for their lives and Staines go to Woking in need of points to try and stave off relegation. We’ve seen Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers defy the odds over the festive period and they’ve shown that you have to be spot on in every game you play.”

Sam Corcoran has recovered from illness to become available for selection again in the Clarets’ midfield - his suspension for the dismissal in the first Thurrock game kicks-in next week at Truro City. Wingers Ricky Modeste and Greg Morgan are responding well to treatment and could play some part, while Anthony Cook has an operation pending.

Pennyfather hinted that there may be some inward movement to bolster the squad in weeks to come having recently released midfielders Jermaine Brown and Joe Benjamin, as well as allowing young striker Tyrone Scarlett to get match practice with Cheshunt in the Ryman League Division One North. Several players and triallists will feature in an informal friendly booked at Canvey Island on Tuesday.

Sutton United: Address: Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2EY. Phone: (020) 8644 4440. Position Last Season: 1st in the Ryman League Premier Division. Miles from Chelmsford: 47. Approx. Journey Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes. Nickname: The U’s. Team Colours: All Amber. Ground Capacity: 7,032 (1,250 Covered Terracing). Seats: 765. Official Website: www.suttonunited.net.

Weather Forecast: Grey Cloud. 7 degrees Celsius. Wind 14 mph.

Blue Square Bet Odds: Chelmsford City 5/6, Draw 5/2, Sutton United 5/2. Do you fancy a flutter? Then visit www.bluesq.com/fans where you can register to earn money for the Clarets when you open a brand new Blue Square account.

Follow the Clarets on Twitter! Stay up-to-date with all the latest Clarets news, results and information through the official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/OfficialClarets or search for, and follow, ‘OfficialClarets’. This service provides half time and full time scores and we’re currently looking for someone to kindly volunteer to provide in-match and goal updates. Can you help? Call Chris on (07799) 030669 for details.

Build-Up to Kick-Off in Style! Three-course meals can be booked before every home game, with a two-course service and soft drink provided in place of a starter for midweek matches. The package includes express gate entry, access to the Don Walker Suite bar, reserved Main Stand seats, half time refreshments, a programme and the chance to meet the players after the game. The price is £35 per person, with a discount for 10 or more guests. Drinks at the bar are not included. To book, contact Bev on (01245) 290959.

Supporters Club Man of the Match: For home games, all City supporters can vote for their Man of the Match. The winner will be announced in the Don Walker Lounge where Supporters Club members are invited to congratulate the winner after the game. To register your vote, simply text the name of your chosen player, to (07570) 244929 near the end of the game (or up to 5:30pm on Saturdays), when the winner is announced.