Injuries hit Jekyll and Hyde Wrens hard ahead of Vase tie

Two more players joined the list of the sidelined in Monday's 3-1 home defeat by resurgent Clipstone. And manager Ben Marvin is seeking to bounce back from two contrasting bank holiday derby defeats when the Wrens begin their Vase campaign in another local showdown at home to fellow East Midlands Counties League side Teversal.
Centre back Adam Jackson was unable to start the second half as a result of an apparent groin strain, and then midfielder Jack Weatherer (pictured) sustained an injury which looks likely to sideline him for a fair while.
It's been a season of contrasts for the Wrens so far, as they have taken on the mantle of a Jekyll and Hyde outfit, alternating impressive displays with some below par ones.
Such was the case over the holiday weekend when they did not gain their reward for a stirring performance in a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Evo-Stik League neighbours AFC Mansfield on Saturday, but then failed to carry that into Monday's game for league points against Clipstone, in front of a bumper crowd of 155, leaving them with just one point to show from their opening four league outings.
Looking back on the weekend, Marvin was understandably in a mixed frame of mind at the two contrasting performances.
"In the cup tie the lads gave a very good account of themselves," he said. "They defended well, they created chances, and were unlucky to see what would have been a last kick equaliser ruled out.
"It was positives all the way apart from the result, and I had hoped we could transfer that into Monday's game against Clipstone. We started well enough, evenly matched, we went ahead and they never really threatened us until we conceded a sloppy goal in added first half time.
"But we came in at half time thinking we would go out and attack the game in the second half, but losing two key players to injury when we were already short left us vulnerable.
"Adam Jackson was our only available central defender so once again we had to move Kieran Barnes, a left back by trade, into the middle alongside him, and then when Adam was unable to go out after half time we had to move another full back into the middle.
"Add to that Jack's injury, leaving us light in midfield too, and we ended up with people playing all over in different positions, with three of the back four all 17-year-olds.
"That was the difference. Clipstone came with a strong squad full of experience, and when they made changes late on they were able to bring more experience on, whereas when we were forced to make changes we had to rely on youth. And while that will be a good lesson for them nd they will learn from their mistakes, this is where we are at present.
"We have brought in some older, wiser players to bring the younger lads on, but we are not in a position to afford a team full of experience - that's not where we are at present.
"When we lose two more key players in addition to those already out through injury or unavailability, or even getting married, we don't yet have the resources to deal with it.
"We'll have to see how Adam goes, but Jack's looks like a bad one. We'll have to get him assessed during the week and we're hoping it's not as bad as it looks - he's a great lad who has already been playing through the pain barrier with a broken rib, and it will be a massive shame if he's out for a long time, but we'll help him through it if that's the case."
Meanwhile centre half Conor Wright needs a scan on his ankle while skipper Jacob Lowe is away on honeymoon, having got married this week.
"We don't have a massive squad, but the lads who are thrown in will have to step up to the plate," concluded Marvin. "So we dust ourselves down, go out to attack Saturday's game in the Vase, and see if we can put a good performance in and make progress."

Updated 13:25 - 30 Aug 2019 by Gordon Foster