Peterborough Sports manager hopes enforced Covid break will benefit his side, FA Trophy ties for Stamford and Yaxley, big FA Vase date for Whittlesey Athletic

They’ll need to hit the ground running as they host Gainsborough Trinity in the first round of the FA Trophy at the Bee Arena tomorrow (October 31, 3pm) and then entertain high-flying Needham Market in the Premier Central Division of the Southern League on Tuesday (November 3, 7.45pm).

It’s a chance for Dean to lock managerial horns with two men with long professional playing careers.

Former Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Posh midfielder Curtis Woodhouse is the Gainsborough boss, while ex-Manchester City and West Ham defender Kevin Horlock is in charge at Needham.

“They are two tough fixtures against teams managed by players who know the game inside out,” Dean said. “But I’m hoping the break will have invigorated us.

“We’d played 22 games in 12 weeks including pre-season before we were forced to stop playing so we should be rested up and ready to go.

“I’m planning for two games rather than just for Saturday, but that’s not to say I will be taking the Trophy game less than seriously. I will manage the squad and put two competitive sides out for tough contests. Gainsborough are a big club at our level and clubs from the Northern Premier League are always hard to play against.

“And Needham have really taken off since Horlock went to the club.

“It’s been frustrating to watch a lot of clubs overtake us while we’ve not been playing, but we have to get on with things. We now face a run of Saturday-Tuesday matches and if we win our games in hand we will be right up there again.”

Sports had moved up to fifth place by winning at Leiston in their last game before a mini lockdown. They are now 12th.

Dean hopes to have a full squad to pick from on Saturday. Former Southend United full-back Jonny Herd is back after a lengthy lay-off, but defender Dan Bucciero has left the club to join Yaxley in the division below.

Woodhouse played 69 games for Posh between 2003-2005 and scored 12 goals.

Stamford AFC have a tough FA Trophy game at higher-level Stamford tomorrow when Yaxley host Grantham Town in the saem competition (3pm).

Also tomorrow Whittlesey Athletic have a big FA Vase date at home to Eastern Counties Premier Division side Mildenhall Town at Feldale Field (3pm).

Deeping Rangers’ Vase tie at Hanley has been postponed because of a positive Covid test in the local camp.

FIXTURES

Saturday, October 31.

FA Trophy

Third qualifying round: Peterborough Sports v Gainsborough Trinity, Stourbridge v Stamford AFC, Yaxley v Grantham Town.

FA VASE

First round: Whittlesey Ath v Mildenhall.

Northern Premier League

South East Division: Belper v Spalding Utd.

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Holbeach Utd v Harborough, Peterborough Nothern Star v ON Chenecks, Pinchbeck Utd v Lutterworth Town.