SAM Blackman is hopeful a reduced fixture list will help Concord Rangers fire on all fronts this season.

The 23-year-old joined the Beach Boys from Leatherhead in the summer, making the leap from Isthmian Premier League to National League South.

Blackman has made an impressive transition to the second tier of non-league football, featuring in all of Concord’s matches so far this term.

And he believes playing fewer qualifying round fixtures in knockout competitions could help the team enjoy success in the month ahead.

“Last year we had to play six or seven games just to get to the first round of the FA Cup,” said the midfielder.

“Being at this level means you don’t play as many fixtures and that can help your focus as you are not jumping from one competition to another. It helps people stay fairly fresh as well and I am noticing that.”

Concord host Beaconsfield Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday as they bid to repeat Leatherhead’s heroics from last season - which saw them reach the second round.

It comes after back-to-back victories and clean sheets against Margate - in the FA Cup - and Truro City.

And Blackman says returning to winning ways was important, following a spell of five matches without a win.

“Every team will go through a little blip but we always said let’s see where we are after 10 games,” he said. “We are still in touch with everyone and we are determined to do well on Saturday as well. The FA Cup is huge for the club and we head into it in a good frame of mind.

“This month we play Oxford City, Weston-super-Mare and Chelmsford City among others and while we are targeting a certain amount of points we will not take anyone lightly.

“A return of nine points would be good for us but we need to focus on Saturday’s job first and go on from there.”

And Blackman is hoping to continue impressing his peers, having finished second in the club’s first player of the month poll of the season behind top scorer Alex Wall.

“I had never played at this level and I knew it was going to be a good test,” he said. “I thought I could make the step up but it’s nice to be noticed and appreciated and hopefully it will make me a better player.”