1874 NORTHWICH manager Chris Herbert says something needs to be done to avoid a future fixture drought like the one they are currently experiencing.
With no game this weekend, for the third Saturday in four, he feels the lack of game time is impactful.
And he says it showed when his side did get on the field and played out a 1-1 draw at Whitchurch Alport on the first day of the new month.
“I thought we looked a little bit stale in the first half,” he said.
“We didn’t play for two weeks – we had two free weeks which I don’t understand – and we’ve got another free week this week so there’s no momentum.
“I don’t think any team can deal with that. It’s a nightmare.
“It’s something that needs to be looked at because it is killing us, as a management team and the players.
“Everyone’s moaning about it, nobody knows what happens next about it. We need to be playing football, that’s why we’re here but we don’t seem to be playing.”
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Two of 1874’s blank Saturdays came about due to their scheduled opposition – Brocton on October 18 and Hanley Town on November 8 – having FA Vase commitments, which take priority.
It is a competition that the Greens exited at the first hurdle, 2-0 at home to Prestiwch Heys on August 23.
“I get it that the Vase takes priority but surely there’s a way to get us a game because one in four weeks is crazy,” he said.
“I’ve never known it in my whole football career. It’s a bit strange.”
Thirteen of 1874’s 17 rivals have now played at least one game more than 1874, whose inactivity has seen them slip to eighth on the Midland League Premier Division ladder.
Club chiefs will be hoping poor weather does not creep in and cause postponements and a possible fixture pile-up later in the campaign.
1874 Northwich are next slated to play on Saturday, November 15, at home to Tividale.
