Postponement a ‘blessing’ ahead of YMCA’s FA Cup clash

The postponement of their Southern Combination League clash at Arundel on Tuesday owing to a waterlogged pitch came as a blessing ahead of their FA Cup clash on Saturday.

YM will have profited from a week without a game when they welcome Ryman League North Division side Aveley to Gorings Mead in the second qualifying round.

Having faced a hectic start to the season, Buckland believed his side looked tired in their narrow win at Worthing United last Saturday.

With £4,500 prize money at stake this weekend and a place in the third qualifying round, a break has come at the right time. Buckland said: “It gives us time to prepare with the FA Cup, but I have got to be honest, the problem it does give is the fixture congestion already and I have a feeling we are in for a very harsh winter.

“But if we had gone down to Arundel to play, I would have been going on about us being tired. I have got to be honest, hand on heart, when the message came through I did think it was a bit of a blessing.

“I watched Aveley at home to Romford and they drew 1-1 on Monday night. I made my notes and I am looking forward to it, it is a winnable game.

“They are midtable and have one or two dangerous players that we will need to nullify.

“Like I said, Tuesday being off was a bit of a blessing really. It gives us chance to take a breather and rest one or two injures so we will be fully stacked for the first time this season which has come at just the right time.”

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