Further frustration for Southam boss

Southam United’s fixture backlog continues to worsen as their Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup tie at Bartley Green on Wednesday night became the latest casualty of the wet weather, writes David Hucker.

After last Saturday’s home league encounter against Stafford Town was cancelled following an early morning pitch inspection, manager Lee Knibbs took the players to Southam College for a training session in preparation for the Bartley Green trip.

All looked promising until Wednesday lunchtime when the match was called off.

It will now be played on Tuesday January 15 (7.30pm).

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The winners were due to travel to Nuneaton Griff in the quarter-final the following night, but this match will also have to be rescheduled.

The break from competitive matches has, at least, given both Chris Hayden and Ryan Lynch time to recover from injuries and Knibbs expects both to be back shortly.

But midfielder Luke Church, who was injured in pre-season and defender Ash Buswell remain long-term absentees.

“It’s been a frustrating time,” said Knibbs.

“The challenge is to get a balance between free time and intense training sessions, trusting the players to do at least one fitness session a week on their own.

“A lot of games is a problem, but a nice one to have.

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“I have trust in the strong squad we’ve got and, if we are playing three times a week come April it will be a sign we have done well.”

Saints are also in three other cup competitions as well as having 20 matches still to play in the Midland Football Combination.

They currently lie in 12th place, having completed the fewest number of fixtures.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, Blackwood are the visitors to Banbury Road (3pm).

Racing Club Warwick, whose last two fixtures were also a victim of the weather, travel to Nuneaton Griff.