AFC Telford set for biggest test yet

Boss Andy Sinton is relishing AFC Telford United's pre-season friendly clash with Cheltenham Town tomorrow, insisting: "It will be our most realistic test yet."

The Blue Square Bet Premier newcomers have already thrashed Midland Alliance duo Rocester 9-0 and Ellesmere Rangers 7-2 as well as beating Market Drayton 4-1 in the Shropshire Senior Cup and losing 1-0 to a young West Brom team.

But Sinton believes the meeting with League Two side Cheltenham, whose assistant manager is former Bucks player-coach Neil Howarth, will give them more of an idea of the level they need to be at.

"It will be more of an even game, albeit that they are higher-ranked opposition and they train every day," said Sinton.

"It will be a little bit more like the opposition we are going to be facing in four or five weeks' time, when the season starts.

"In many senses it will be more of a test than Wednesday's game with West Brom because it will be a little bit more realistic."

Sinton has also moved to arrange a game for Tuesday next week, having seen the Shropshire Senior Cup final moved to Saturday, August 6 because of opponents The New Saints' Europa League commitments.

The Bucks will now play host to a young Leicester City side instead – the Foxes' senior squad currently being on a tour of Sweden.

"I just need to speak to someone to confirm it, but I'm 99.9 per cent certain that it will be Leicester," said Sinton.

"Whether it's behind closed doors or not will be up to Lee (Carter, the chairman) and the people here but I'm pleased because we needed a fixture with TNS not being able to play."