PEWSEY Vale will have to wait for their chance to close the gap on second-placed AFC Portchester after their trip to Hampshire last Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Vale manager Adi Holcombe instead cast his eye over reserve side Vale of Pewsey in the Wiltshire League and says that watching the second string provided food for thought.

“The reserves won 5-0 and there were five or six players that really impressed me on the day, which was good to see,” said Holcombe.

“Ours was the only game that was called off and it means we’ll have to go there midweek now, which will be a 120-mile round trip.

“We were really up for it but it got called off at 10 am and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Holcombe’s side, who sit fourth in Division One, will welcome back Ryan Banks when they host Hythe & Dibden this weekend.