Report by

NICK SMITH

MARK Gardiner's striking options are set to be tested to the limit again as Vics prepare for their Conference trip to Hayes this Saturday.

Latest casualty Gary Fletcher came off with a knee injury at Woking on Saturday and Gardiner may be forced to operate without a fully fit forward line.

Ian Cooke replaced young Fletcher in the 1-1 draw, but the manager is hesitant to rush him back.

"Cooke has been out for seven or eight weeks and hasn't done much training," said Gardiner. "It's asking a lot for him to go in but he did okay on Saturday.

"I wouldn't choose to start with Ian because it's unfair to him so I hope Gary will be fit."

Gardiner could also pluck more youngsters from the reserves in the coming weeks to cope with his squad constraints.

He said: "It's something I will have to do, with injuries and suspensions coming up. They can do a decent job.

"I'm pleased with Gary's development. You've got to remember he's only a kid and still learning his trade, but he deserves a few pats on the back for the way he has played."

After learning that September's original fixture at Woking was off when the coach had reached Warwick, disaster struck again, incredibly at the same location, on Saturday.

The coach broke down leaving the team stranded for an hour and a half.

Gardiner said: "These things happen and you can't apportion blame. We made it there 20 minutes before kick-off so it was purely down to the players to warm themselves up. It's not ideal but we started okay and weren't sluggish.

"Some of the lads had a bit of stomach upset because we missed the pre-match meal and ate late, but they knuckled down and got on with it. In the circumstances I have to be happy with a point."

UniBond Premier side Barrow are in talks with transfer-listed striker Nathan Peel, but the two are still to agree personal terms.

Following the trip to Hayes, Vics take on Altrincham in the second round of the MacMillan Nationwide Trophy on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.