PORTHLEVEN AFC are set to welcome Premier League new boys Cardiff City to Gala Parc on Thursday (kick-off 7.30pm).

Port manager Alan Carey is relishing the opportunity to pit his side against the Bluebirds, who won promotion to the top flight after finishing second in the EFL Championship last season.

Carey said: “For the club it’s a fantastic occasion to bring a Premier League club and I know people are going on about ‘oh it’s under-23s,’ but let’s be honest, if you’re under-23s you’re going to be pushing for the Premier League, you’ve only got to look at the World Cup to prove that.

“I think for the club it’s a fantastic fixture and I’m so delighted for the club that we’ve got them here."

While it is set to be a stellar night for everyone involved with the club, Carey is under no illusions about the difficult task that lies ahead for him and his players.

“For us it will be a night of chasing players around I expect,” he said. “But it’s just a fantastic occasion, a chance for the players to put themselves in against a Premiership side and there will be a lot of players in that side that are knocking on the door for the Premiership so it’s going to be a real test, we know that.

“It’s going to be a massive fitness thing, we’re going to be working very hard for 90 minutes, we’re going to have to try and keep our shape against them and they’re going to have the ball a lot.

“At the end of the day we can only win out of this game. It’s a great fixture for the club, a great fixture for the players, the result doesn’t matter. At the end of the day it’s all about the fact that Cardiff City are coming to Porthleven.”

Fishermen to make Vase return

Carey also spoke of his excitement at the prospect of an FA Vase second qualifying round tie at home to South West Peninsula League Premier side Torpoint Athletic.

Porthleven will make their return to the national competition this season after two years away, beginning in round two after receiving a bye.

“The FA Vase is very dear to me, I took Porthleven to the last eight the last time I was here so I know how big a competition it is and what it can do.

“It’s going to be a tough game but if we want to progress we’ve got to fancy our chances against this side at home and it’s great to be back in a national competition.

“It is a fantastic competition to be involved in and I am so pleased that we’re back in it.”

Torpoint will travel to Gala Parc on Saturday, September 15.