MANAGER Ashley Vincent has no qualms with Worcester City’s early-season fixture oddities.

After today’s trip to South Normanton Athletic (3pm), City will have completed both fixtures against the Shiners and Long Eaton United within the opening 10 league games of the season.

City have lost five out of nine in the Midland Football League Premier Division to date but each of those losses have been against members of the current top six.

South Normanton sit seventh going into the weekend with Coventry United, who visit the Victoria Ground on Wednesday (7.45) eighth.

The calendar also pairs Worcester with Gresley twice from February 8 and Walsall Wood home and away in the final 15 days of the campaign but Vincent is happy to take what he is given.

“It evens itself out, we have played teams towards the top of the table early doors but all you can do is take each team on its merit on the week you play them,” he said.

“There are no complaints about us having a difficult start because in the end it is the same for everyone.

“You might get different teams putting out different sides at various stages of the season but you can only face what is in front of you on the day.

“It is a club’s prerogative how they want to do things and the last thing we will do is make excuses.”

The 1-0 defeat at City on August 7 is one of two league defeats from eight games for South Normanton, the other six being victories. They have also won four in a row in all competitions.

“They have a good side and have picked up some decent results,” Vincent added.

“We beat them at home and have got some different bodies in the door since then so it will be interesting to see where are

“We know we have to do the same things as last week (at Pinchbeck United), show a great attitude and good energy so our football can come to the fore.

“If we do that we are a match for any team and everyone is excited to get the ball rolling again at the start of what is a heavy run of games in the next couple of months for us.

“We are Saturday-midweek for a while now and that’s what you’re in the game for, I think everyone is looking forward to it and being in a busy spell of matches excites the lads.

“It is what they are there to do. I don’t think anyone particularly likes training session after session, they want to get their teeth stuck into matches and this run gives us the chance to do that.”

Wing-back Dan Okojie comes back into contention after an ankle injury with returning striker Marco Adaggio also available.