PAUL Carden says an extra training session this week will help his Warrington Town side beyond their FA Cup clash with FC Halifax Town on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Yellows were scheduled to face Stafford Rangers on Tuesday, but the Northern Premier League agreed to their request to postpone the fixture to allow them more time to prepare for their fourth qualifying round tie at Cantilever Park.

Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals Marine and Witton Albion – who also stand on the verge of a place in the first round proper – were also allowed to rearrange their midweek fixtures.

Town usually only get to train once a week, but Carden explained just how valuable the extra time with his players will be, and not just for their game against the National League outfit.

“A lot of other clubs did it last year, and we were affected by one of those games as well,” he said.

“When Toby (Macormac, club chairman) mentioned it to me, I was behind it 100 per cent.

“It’s not just about the Halifax game. There’s not too many opportunities to train twice a week in this league.

“Come the real winter, the harsh weather makes it hard to do what you want to do.

“It gives us a chance to put some things in place for beyond Saturday.

“We can do some work on set pieces and organisation as well as movement and patterns of play.

“It will allow us to function better, especially against teams that put up a deep block against us.”

Victory on Saturday will send Warrington into the FA Cup first round for just the second time in their history.

To achieve that, they must see off a side who sit 14th in the National League – although the Shaymen are currently on a nine-match winless run in the league.

Carden worked with ‘Fax boss Jamie Fullarton when both men were part of the set-up at Bolton Wanderers and says Yellows will not be “fearful” despite the two-division gap between the sides.

“I know what threats they will pose, but I also know what we can do,” he said.

“We won’t be fearful that’s for sure, but we’ll respect them as we did Consett, Burscough and Telford in the previous rounds.

“I know their manager really well. He was under-21 manager at Bolton when I was scouting for them.

“I know how organised and determined he is. He won’t suffer any poor performances.

“They did start well and it didn’t surprise me as they have gone full-time again.

“It wasn’t so long ago that Halifax were one of the biggest names in non-league and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were challenging again this season.”

Yellows will travel to The Shay for a replay on Tuesday night if Saturday’s game finishes all square, with the draw for the FA Cup first round taking place on Monday at 7pm on BBC2.

If you cannot make it to Cantilever Park today, you can follow the game via a live blog on the Warrington Guardian website.

Sports reporter Matt Turner will be in position from around 2pm to bring you all the action as it happens.