Bucks' fringe players set for Rocester friendly

AFC Telford United's fringe players have been challenged to push their first team credentials in tonight's squad friendly with minnows Rocester.

Boss Andy Sinton has arranged the clash with the Midland Alliance side (kick-off 7.45pm) as a chance for players not currently featuring regularly to get a run-out.

Similar games have already been staged against Burton Albion, Chasetown and Rushall Olympic in recent weeks.

Tonight's clash should see outings for strikers Adam Proudlock and James Lawrie as well as defenders Stuart Whitehead and Martyn Naylor and midfielder Richard Davies. Trialist left-back Netan Sansara will also be involved.

And the Telford chief is eager for them to grasp the opportunity to make their case to feature in Saturday's FA Cup third qualifying round clash away at Buxton.

"I'm looking for players to put in a shift and be saying to me: 'Should you wish to change it, I'm ready for you'," said Sinton.

"We didn't really get that last week (in the Rushall friendly which finished 0-0) but hopefully we will tonight - that's a little bit of a challenge to the players.

"We did okay last week, it wasn't a bad performance, but I'm looking for them to step up."

Meanwhile, club officials have issued a heartfelt thank you to supporters after Saturday's season-high crowd of 2,508 for the 1-1 draw with Worcester City.

The figure - boosted by the presence of hundreds of school children as part of the Shropshire Star's Cash 4 Our Schools initiative — was the highest for 19 months in the Blue Square Bet North.

The average gate for the season has now risen to 2,058.

• Entry to tonight's friendly is £2.50 for adults and £1 for concessions.

By CHRIS HUDSON