Difficult balancing act for Moneyfields with two teams in cup action on same day

Jake Knight, foreground right against Hayling United last night, is still protecting an unbeaten record after Moneyfields Reserves' opening four L4 Teamwear Challenge Cup ties against higher division opponents. Picture: Dan (JMA Media).

Interim Moneys boss Louis Bell has revealed his intention to promote from within as his side prepare to face Fareham in the delayed 2019-20 Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final.

But he could be restricted on numbers as the second team have a big L4 Teamwear Challenge Cup group stage tie at Fleetlands the same aftermoon.

Bell has very few first-teamers to choose from after a large chunk of the group followed former boss Dave Carter to AFC Portchester.

Yet caretaker Moneys reserves player-boss Jake Knight who could be one of the players called up by Bell, warned his side cannot afford to be left short.

He said: ‘Obviously, it’s still a bit unconfirmed but there could be about two, three or maybe four at the most going (up to the first team).

‘There’s myself and a few others but it still needs to be confirmed because we’ve got a game against Fleetlands.

'We’ve had the talk with a few of the lads and they want a few going, but obviously we need to sort out what we’re doing with the reserves.

‘We can’t leave ourselves short for Fleetlands and obviously the first team needs a few players. We’ll be sorting that out.'

Moneys secured their first group 7 victory last night, running out 2-0 winners over division-higher Hayling United at Dover Road. Stanlie Hopkins and Chad Cornwell netted.

Knight's side, in a group with three teams from a higher division, sit second and are in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Prior to last night they had drawn with Hayling, Fleetlands and Locks Heath - the only points Locks have dropped so far.

Knight added: 'We’re pleased with that (unbeaten so far). It’s a bit of mixed feelings because we’re gutted and felt like we should have won at least two of the games we played.

‘But to not lose a game yet, especially against teams above us, it’s good going for us.

'The past two seasons and the work under (former boss) Paul O’Rielly, we felt like we should easily be playing in that league and competing.

‘Obviously it’s one of them things, you can’t help a world pandemic, but it is nice to finally get the chance to play the teams from above and prove to not only them but ourselves that we can do it in that league.'