Pontefract Collieries joint manager Duncan Bray (left) says his side are down to the barebones for the FA Vase clash with Worsbrough Bridge
Pontefract Collieries are down to the barebones for the FA Vase first qualifying round tie at Worsbrough Bridge tomorrow, according to Duncan Bray.
Promotion seeking Ponte are having to cope with a mass injury crisis which has affected their last few Toolstation NCEL Division One games.
Tom Agus, captain Dean Twibey, Josh Corbett and Andy Catton are just four names on a long list of players who are struggling with either injury or illness.
Ponte will visit the side who beat them in the league last Saturday and Bray admits the game is coming at the wrong time.
Bray, who manages the Collieries with Nicky Handley, said: “It would be really nice to win and for the club to win, but if it was a choice between winning the Vase game or winning the next two league games, I’d take winning the next two league games.
“If we do go out it is not going to damage us long term.
“Short term, it would be great to get through the Vase game because the winner will fancy themselves in the next round against Winterton.
“It is going to be difficult given the squad we are going to be taking there on Sunday.
“Worsbrough have some really fit young lads across the park and they are a very mobile team.
“If you’re not fit enough, they’ll punish you. To be fair they were the better side, the other day.
“I wish this game was coming in a few weeks’ time when we have a few bodies back.”
Pontefract did manage to return to winning ways against a poor Hallam side on Wednesday night.
The result maintained Collieries positive start to the campaign, but, Bray admitted that new faces are needed at Skinner Lane.
Iwan Heeley arrived this week and Bray hopes to speak to other possible newcomers in the next few days.
“It has been difficult because we have been changing the side because hour by hour players have been dropping out,” he said.
“We have about 22 players signed on, but at one point this week, it looked like we would have six or seven available subs for the Hallam game.
“Then when it came down to the night, we only had three subs. That shows how many players we have missing because of illness and injury.
“Hopefully we can sign another two or three, but it is going to take time to bring them in.
“It’s been frustrating. We have played five and won three, drew one and lost one, but our performances have been so erratic.
“We have either been good or bad. When we get everyone fit, we’re going to be a force against anyone.”
The game kicks off at 3pm at Worsbrough tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.