Chelmsford City's new striker, 27-year-old Lee Sonnex, makes his debut in Saturday's Dr Martens League Eastern Division clash at Pilot Field against Hastings Town.

The former Tiptree, Diss and Harwich & Parkeston striker, signed earlier this week from Maldon Town, goes straight in to action against the Sussex side who, like City, are unbeaten in league and cup matches so far.

City manager Gary Bellamy said he had no qualms about pitching the new man straight into the side adding: "He is quite capable of doing the job in a game that will be interesting because we will be able to gauge how we strong we are and how we stand up.

"We did well against Ashford, who I think will end up in the top five, and now we go to Hastings who were relegated from the Premier Division and must also remain one of the strongest sides in the division," he said.

"So it will be a good test but I'm confident we will do well on what is generally a good pitch to play."

The manager will be resting the out-of-form Tesfaye Bramble who will be replaced by Sonnex..

"Tesfaye is struggling at the moment and also has a minor injury niggle and perhaps people have come to expect too much from him," he explained. "So we will give him a rest although he remains very much part of our game plan.''

"We have the players this season to adapt better to different conditions and different styles of opposition, and this is what we have to do while we also look more dangerous on set pieces," Bellamy added.

On the cup victory at Woodbridge Town, he said: "I always felt we were the stronger side and would win but we never really took hold of the game until they equalised. We seem to score first and then sit back and switch off and no side can do that.

"But four goals in the space of 17 minutes settled the issue and I think we were well worth our win." he added.

Over the game he felt young Shane Wardley again did well and also debut youngster Ben Fuller who scored two goals in the second half.

"Ben's performance was encouraging and he showed good anticipation, movement off the ball and was keen," Bellamy said.

In preparation for the two difficult weekend games, the manager arranged a friendly at Halstead Town on Tuesday, and a training session on Wednesday.

City have two league games over the Bank Holiday weekend.

On Saturday they visit Hastings Town (kick off 3pm) and on Monday entertain Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels at New Lodge, Billericay. This game will kick off at 3pm and not 7.45pm as previously advertised.

City's next FA Cup tie is at Ryman League Division Three strugglers Kingsbury Town on Saturday, September 4, kick off 3pm.

If a replay is needed it will be at New Lodge on Wednesday (September 8) with a 7.45pm kick off.

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