Ashton United co-manager Steve Halford believes the potential freezing weather could ‘cripple’ a number of non-league sides.
Weather reports this week suggest winter weather is set to hit Britain over the next couple of weeks and Halford feels it cause havoc to the non-league calendar.
The joint-boss is also confident that his men can turn a corner and kick-start their league campaign in tomorrow’s match against visitors Worksop Town in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.
He said: “The weather will cripple a few teams, it’s very hard with finances and it will cause a lot of problems but we will just have to wait and see.
“When we get it right it will be good but tomorrow is a really tough game, Worksop are flying.
“Obviously we are in a false position, if we lose a few more we can be in the bottom four but if we win a few we could be up there.”
Halford feels there are just a couple of changes which need to be done before he can see his team spiral up the table.
“There’s not much wrong, we need to be more clinical up front and better at defending, in this league a lot of teams can beat each other it’s just about who turns up on the day,” he said.
United are also hoping to unveil a signing tomorrow morning to strengthen their squad.
Trafford travel to Stamford and manager Garry Vaughan is also wary of the disastrous consequences of the weather after experiencing the problem three seasons ago.
“It absolutely killed us, we didn’t play for 10 weeks, which probably was about 20 games and we went on a bad run from there so I’m hoping it stays clear of us.”
After thumping Ashton 4-1 last weekend, Vaughan spoke of the confidence of his players in training this week but says it is nothing new.
“There’s always a buzz at training, we aren’t expected to beat the better teams although we have and we need to get head our head around going away from home and being stronger.”
Vaughan hopes his side can improve their away form but is proud of the home results and is excited to give new players a chance after Martyn Andrews and Andrew Smart face suspensions for tomorrow’s game.
“We play footy on our pitch which is like Wembley and turn people over.
“We have to utilise our squad. I look at it as giving people a chance to shine which is all the better for us,” he said.
Other league matches include FC United at home to Frickley Athletic and bottom side Droylsden away to second-placed Skelmersdale United.
In the First Division North Padiham host Mossley whilst Kendal Town travel to Salford City.
John Flanagan’s play the first of their two games in three days as they play AFC Fylde in an FA Trophy third qualifying round encounter at the Tameside Stadium.
This weekend’s Skrill Premier fixtures will give winless Hyde the chance to put up their first points on the board as they travel to fellow strugglers Woking.
Image courtesy of Iain Lees, with thanks.
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