Poulton fears another postponement
HAYLING United boss Mark Poulton was left sweating on the weather overnight as the Humbugs hoped to get their College Ground fit for a Wessex Premier Division match for the first time in nearly two months.
United last played at home back in November when they drew 2-2 with Brockenhurst, but since then they have failed to play a single match as a result of the big freeze.
And Poulton was pessimistic about the state of the College Ground pitch on Friday night as United prepared to face Cowes Sports - ironically the last team Hayling played before the winter weather set in, leaving the Wessex League with a massive fixture pile-up.
He said: "Our pitch is covered with snow without a hint of green anywhere.
"I have to rate our chances as slim to non-existent.
"Cowes were the last team we played before the weather closed in and we beat them 4-0 at their place.
"I will be extremely disappointed if the game goes ahead and we don't pick up the three points.
"Up until the bad weather moved in we were doing well, losing only twice in 10 games.
"We must make sure that our enforced break doesn't halt that momentum.
"Training hasn't been easy because we have no other facilities apart from our pitch.
"It won't be easy making up the backlog of fixtures with our small squad.
"I may have to target certain games where we can realistically expect to pick up points."
Midfielder George Way is still waiting to start his four-match ban because of the big freeze and wet weather before Christmas which has accounted for United's last seven games in a row being called off.
Poulton, however, is boosted by the return of Josh Case, who had been away in America.
HAYLING UNITED vs Cowes Sports (KO 3pm): Harrop, Wakeford, Greenway, Walker, Taylor, Oliver, Hayward, Case, Wall, Burney, Gillman, Huntley, Paxton, Keogh, Pitkeigthly.
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Weather for Hayling
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
