CHELMSFORD Chieftains' player/coach Gary Clarke is confident but wary ahead of this Sunday's league game against Milton Keynes Thunder.
The Riverside Leisure Centre-based side could be without key overseas defenceman Tibor Schnider for the game as he's struggling with a trapped nerve.
Clarke said: "Milton Keynes managed to get a draw in Cardiff last week, a rink we lost at recently.
And they beat Streatham at home so they got three out of four points last weekend.
"They're a very organised side.
"The last time we played them it was very difficult, there was only one goal in it and we'll have to make sure we're at our best to come away with the points."
Last weekend was one of mix fortunes on paper for the club with a narrow home league win against the Solent & Gosport Devils followed by a narrow 4-3 defeat away to Invicta Dynamos in the South East Trophy.
The Trophy defeat was immaterial as the Chieftains had already qualified for the final in January where they will meet Wightlink Raiders and Clarke made major tactical changes.
On Saturday against the Devils the Chieftains were made to work hard for their two points by a tough visiting team that battled right to the end of the game and were backstopped by Christian Cole who had an immense game in the Devils net.
"We made the league win on the Saturday very difficult for ourselves," explained Clarke.
"When you compare us man for man when we're a much better team than Solent & Gosport but they came with a game plan and made life very difficult for us. On another night we cold have scored another ten goals but I'm pleased with came away with the points."
Danny Hammond struck early for the home side and the first break was 1-0 to the Chieftains, but it wasn't a convincing scoreline.
Into the second and more goals went in with Clarke doubling the advantage before Kevin Tanner hit back for the south coast side. Darren Brown restored the two goal advantage before the final break, but a third period marker from Mitchell Murray set up a nervy finish for the home crowd.
The Chelmsford side held on, despite late pressure and were lucky to get the extra point.
On Sunday night and the Essex derby between the Chelmsford Warriors and Romford Fury took place in the second tier of the National League which ended 4-4.
This Sunday's games is at home with a 6.30pm face off.
