AFC Telford pitch will hold out, insists groundsman Mick Conway

Rob Edwards’ side were due to play Leamington at the New Bucks Head yesterday but the game was called off as the pitch was heavily waterlogged.

Postponements have came at a regular rate for the Bucks this season, meaning they still have eight National League North games left to play.

“I don’t think we’ll have a problem for Thursday,” said groundsman Mick Conway.

“We had the pitch verti-drained last Thursday, but the pitch just couldn’t take the heavy rain from Sunday night. It was just a non-starter.

“As far as Thursday goes, having had the pitch verti-drained – punching holes into the surface with the tractor – I can’t see there being a problem.

“I’m quietly confident about Thursday, and hopefully Saturday (against Chorley) as well. Any showers we have, the pitch should be able to take.”

Telford are aiming to get a big crowd in for the visit of Spennymoor as under-19s will be allowed in for free while adults and concessions will be charged a flat rate of £9.

The Bucks are currently third bottom in the table.

Edwards’ men were also supposed to go to Blyth Spartans this past weekend, but that match also fell foul to the weather.

Snow and heavy rain has proved a widespread problem and on how it is affected Telford, Conway added: “With the relentless snow and rain we’ve had, the pitch hasn’t had a chance to really dry out.

“If we have heavy rain, it is just adding to an already damp surface and that causes problems.

“We do have a little drainage problem and we’ve identified that now. It’s something we’re looking to get sorted during the close season.

“We haven’t got rain covers, we’ve got frost sheets so those are porous.

“Having had the pitch verti-drained, though, that gives us the best chance of the game being on.

“And as I say, I don’t see there being a problem.”