‘Sharp’ Fareham eyeing FA Vase progress
Fareham boss Pete Stiles says his squad are looking 'sharp' as they aim to continue their flying start to the season after the nationwide lockdown.
The Reds are thrown straight back into action following the monthlong 'non-elite' football suspension as they welcome Roman Glass St George in the FA Vase first round proper tomorrow.
Doubts had been cast over whether the cup tie would take place with the South Gloucestershire-based side placed under tier three restrictions.
But the fixture is going ahead as planned and Stiles revealed his squad are ‘champing at the bit’ to get back out on the pitch.
The Reds sit third in the Wessex League Premier Division. But first Stiles' squad's focus is on plotting a route past Roman Glass in the FA Vase as they return to competitive action.
‘We look sharp still, we look fit so hopefully we can carry on from where we left off,' said Stiles.
‘It has been a good start. The lads are well up for it, they’re buzzing and just chomping at the bit to get going. It’s not ideal (getting straight into the FA Vase).
‘It’s a bit like at the start of the season when you go straight into the FA Cup. We’ve just got to go and play it, it’s game we want win and we’ve just got to try to win it.'
Fareham trained for the first time in more than a month on Wednesday and were hoping to get another session in last night - weather-permitting - before the tie against Roman Glass.
The Reds will be without the injured Gary Austin this weekend while Connor Messenbird begins a two-match suspension. Gary Moody is also unavailable for a month. But Stiles insists there is more than enough depth within the squad to cope without the trio.
‘We’ve got a few missing but we’ve just got to get on with it,' added the Fareham boss.
‘We’ve been revolving it around a little bit anyway between about 16 or so players. It shouldn’t make too much difference, there are other players coming in who are more than capable.’