"It's still possible and we have a chance so we shall fight on with confidence until it is mathematically impossible for us to gain promotion."

This was the defiant message yesterday from Chelmsford City manager Gary Bellamy, who has to make several enforced changes for tomorrow (Saturday's) important Dr Martens League Eastern Division encounter at VS Rugby.

Out are defender John Girling with an achilles injury, that puts him on the touchline for the rest of the season, while certain to miss the next two weeks is recent signing Ben Lewis, who was taken to hospital with a head injury after crashing into a ground hoarding in the final minute of Saturday's game against Spalding.

Striker Steve Morris has also seen his season finish with a fractured ankle, which he sustained while working as a police officer.

In will come Shane Wardley while club captain Brett Girling should have recovered from injury to resume duties at right-back.

Kevin Dobinson will partner John Bishop in the heart of the defence while Tesfaye Bramble could line-up with Gary Bennett in attack.

Bellamy said: "I'm thoroughly disappointed at the way we lost against Spalding and I told the players so but once the game was under way I knew it simply wasn't going to be our day for a variety of reasons.

#147;Spalding are a much improved side, had some on loan experienced players, and again refereeing decisions cost us dearly but we still had enough chances to have won the game.

"I think for some players it was the fear of losing and failing to play properly under pressure, while certain individuals lacked commitment and others had a dreadful game.

"At times we were negative which is not our game, because we have the ability in the side to go forward and take sides on," Bellamy added.

"I had to change the defence because of circumstances but it does highlight that while the side is now much stronger than at the start of the season, we still need to add to it to have more quality and experience - I know the three playing areas where I am already working on to strengthen for next season."

This will mean one or two current players moving on at the end of the current campaign, irrespective of whether promotion is gained, because Bellamy knows that the side is desperately lacking in certain areas which needs to be rectified.

"We have done remarkably well, by reaching the first round of the FA Cup from the preliminary stages, but playing catch-up in league games and gaining points on the leading clubs without initially having a stronger squad, has cost us dear,'' he said.

"Without having our own facilities has also not helped our cause, but hopefully that is now being rectified and we can look forward confidently to the future and build on what we have done this season."

City's next home match is on Monday at New Lodge with the re-arranged Dr Martens League game against St Leonards (kick off 7.45pm).

New clubs applying to join the Dr Martens League Eastern Division next season are Lymington & New Milton from the Jewson Wessex League, Histon Town from the Jewson Eastern League and two former members, Banbury Unitedd and Brackley Town, from the Hellennic League.

At present there is already one vacancy with Raunds Town having resigned, which means that only one club will be relegated from the Eastern Division.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.