Chelmsford City's loyal supporters look set to have to remain doubly patient for a few more weeks as the club prepares to continue on its long road to rebuilding both on and off the park.

With behind-the-scenes discussions continuing on City's hoped-for new ground at Boreham - a final go-ahead is now not expected until the new year - supporters' need also to stay patient on the playing front, with the side still in a transistional period.

This was again highlighted in Saturday's home defeat against high-riding Margate, the Kent side operating with a wage bill more than three times that of City, and are consequently physically stronger and more experienced.

"They were stronger in every department because they simply have the resources," said City manager Gary Bellamy. "Patience is needed with us but we are building on the right lines for the long term, which is important for the future of the club.

"Margate are clearly spending the resources available and like Weymouth last season look to be one of the fancied teams for promotion." he added.

"We were not helped by the fact that six of our players didn't perform on the day and in the first half, we played the ball far too long and too early," he said. "The second half was better and we are going in the right direction."

Bellamy was also impressed by his new defender, James Saddington, although admitting that it will take the former Cambridge City player a game or two before he learns to play the City way.

On the injury front and contrary to other press reports, City defender Scott Darton is not set to pack up the game through injury.

"Scott is now on a rehabilitation course that will take between six and eight weeks and hopefully he will then be able to start training properly again and be fit enough to be considered." Bellamy said.

"I think it may be an old injury that is at the bottom of the troublesome knee, but we are optimistic it can be sorted out but these things take time - I know what it is like to be out for a long time - I spent 15 months out at Chesterfield and it is frustrating."

There is better news on young defender Kevin Dobinson, who should be fit to resume full training within two weeks and be ready before Christmas.

City are without a match tomorrow (Saturday), but Bellamy will have all the players in for morning training in preparation for Monday's League Cup second round match against Rothwell Town at New Lodge, Billericay (kick-off at 7.45pm).

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