The game will now be played on Tuesday – providing Stratford do not draw their FA Cup fixture tomorrow. Town manager Andy Marlowe said it had been a very frustrating time, especially as the squad were finally back to full strength.
“This game has been called off twice so far,” he said. “It would’ve gone ahead but for a torrential downpour at 5pm on Tuesday evening. September’s always busy, with a lot of Saturday and mid-week fixtures, but you don’t expect this many to be called off at this stage of the season.”
But Andy’s main frustration has been not being able to build on the impressive 3-0 win over Biddulph two weeks ago.
“We have had mixed results so far this year. When I started in this job at the beginning of the season we had a many as six first team regulars away. Some of the team are teachers and the only time they can get away is over the six weeks holidays.
“I said when we had our strongest squad, that was when I wanted to be judged, and we won 3-0. We have got a really strong set of lads here, who have all stuck together.”
Andy admits he would always like to improve the squad, but aside from financial restraints, he feels he has a team who are more than ready to challenge in the Midland Alliance league, as well as other competitions.
“I am really happy with the current squad. We’ve brought in Jaz Singh for a month, who has kept two clean sheets in three games, and was unlucky to be sent off. Dominic Heath has been very good since he signed and Steve Taylor, who also plays minor counties cricket, will also be very good back up in goals.
“There’s also the likes of Gareth Horler, Zak Jackson, George Williams and Mark Neville, who have stepped up to the higher league and have taken to it very well.
“It’s good to look at your whole squad rather than always trying to bring players in because that’s what they’re there for.”
This is Andy’s first managerial role, but he has plenty of experience, having been an ex-professional footballer, a coach and an assistant manger with a number of teams.
“I’ve been with the club for two years now and I’m absolutely loving it. The main difference now is that I have to drop players who I class as friends, but it’s part of the job. I have said from the start that I’ll tell them truth and go through the reasons why I have left them out. No one’s position is safe in this team, as there is such good competition for places.
“But I feel really comfortable here and I have a great chairman in Eric Eagles, and the rest of the support staff – such as Zoe Griffiths and Tim Wildman – have also been great.”
Town’s next match is away tomorrow at Boldmere St Michaels.
