Journey to the West, published in the 16th century, is rated one of the greatest classic Chinese novels. It tells of how a Buddhist monk makes a successful pilgrimage to Asia’s 'Western Regions' to obtain sacred texts known as sutras, despite the many trials and tribulations. The movie is equally a giant-screen classic.

Martin Nash and his York United side need no reminders about the enormity of the task ahead of them later tonight and how supplanting in-form Pacific FC at the Starlight Stadium will require jumping through hoops. But, they have the talent and fortitude to get the job done, despite the challenge.

The Nine Stripes are on a downward spiral after back-to-back home defeats to Forge FC in their last league outing and then MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in a Canadian Championship quarter-final. But this upcoming CPL hurdle is surmountable and inspiration can be drawn from the last time these sides met back in in Langford, B.C where York United secured a big 3-1 win last September.

The Tridents are on a two-match winning streak with a comprehensive 4-1 win at Atletico Ottawa and then a comfortable Cup success over TSS Rovers.

So, a repeat or revenge fixture is on the cards and Nash in his pre-game talk said: "I think they're a quality side there. I don't know if there's a good time to play them to be honest. They're at home. I thought that in the game in Ottawa their pressure was fantastic and that was a big part of the result. They have some guys that are really good at pressing from the front, and it's really difficult to keep possession against them at times. But we'll look at ways that we can possess the ball through their press.

"There's no easy time to play them. They're a quality team, and it's a tough place to go to get the result. But we've done it before and there's no reason why we can't do it again."

Nash hopes to get some bodies back from the treatment room after losing captain and defender Roger Thompson 25 minutes into Wednesday's defeat to the Whitecaps.

If Mo Babouli and Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare are declared fit, they will shore up The Gaffer’s midfield against Pacific's dynamic trio of dangerman Manny Aparicio, former York United boy Cedric Toussaint and Sean Young.

He added: "When we're fit, we match up quite well against them. They do have a quality midfield, some very good players and they're both good defensively and attacking. It's a tough midfield to come up against. I think if we can limit their time and space, it makes things easier for us. But it's easier said than done. I think we've always got to be where [Manny] Aparicio is because he's the guy that starts their press a lot of times and he's just got incredible work rate-all over the pitch. And he has quality with the ball at his feet so we've always got to be aware of him."

OPPONENT WATCH:

At home this season, Pacific are on a 1-1-1 record which translates into four points from a possible nine in the league.

James Merriman’s side have a powerful attack force with Ayman Sellouf as the club’s leading scorer with two goals.

Pacific have only won one of their last five games against York United.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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