Res Fix: Crawley v Torquay Utd 27/9/11 - 2p.m

I was initially disappointed to see that we had not taken the chance to give all of our fringe players ninety minutes, but can fully understand Ling's thoughts on not subjecting them to such a long round trip when they may have to play some part on Saturday.

I suppose that just underlines the unsatisfactory composition of this season's Combination - reserve trips to Brighton and Crawley just do not make any sense at all.

I note that Exeter, Plymouth, Yeovil, Bristol City, Southampton and Cardiff seem to be arranging regular reserve friendlies.

After being deprived of competitive reserve football for so long, part of me would hate to go down that road - but it has to look like the more sensible option if a few of the clubs mentioned above cannot be lured back to the Combination.