Chester FC assistant boss Jon McCarthy respects the threat Braintree Town will pose this weekend but has concerns the pitch at Cressing Road could spoil the spectactle.
The Blues won 1-0 when Braintree visited the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium in a sundrenched start to the season but conditions will be very different in Essex on Saturday (3pm).
The recent wet weather has caused huge problems for the Iron and led to a number of games being called off because officials deemed the surface unfit.
Drier weather, remedial work and an investment in pitch covers meant Braintree were able to get Tuesday night’s home fixture with Wrexham on, winning 1-0, but with more rain forecast McCarthy, who revealed he and manager Steve Burr have struck up a good relationship with Iron boss Danny Cowley, doesn’t expect the game to be one for the purists.
"It’s a shame about the pitch because both sides are footballing teams," said the 45-year-old.
"We’ve spoken to Braintree quite a lot this season because there are similarities between the clubs in terms of our budgets and resources so we’ve shared some information on other teams and things.
Read: Steve Burr mulls different approach for 'awkward' trip to Braintree Town
"I think they’re having a season a little bit like us last season where they’re probably punching above their weight.
"Their form had dipped a bit with them not having many games but they beat Wrexham in the week and we know they’re a good team.
"There wasn’t much between us in that opening game. Braintree had a lot of possession but we had the edge in chances so we’re looking forward to going down but we do expect the pitch to have a big bearing."
Burr has been working hard this week in an attempt to bring in a new striker and has explored several options for loans and permanent deals. Although progress has been slow, the manager hopes to complete a signing in time for the Braintree game.
McCarthy explained: "There’s not a lot of money there but there is some so the gaffer is doing his best to get someone in.
Read: Steve Burr stepping up efforts to bring in reinforcements
"He’s approached all the time with different players but he wants to make sure it’s the right player for us.
"You look at someone like Ryan Astles who came in from Northwich and taken his chance. That’s the kind of players we’re looking at with where the club is at the moment."
