Cumberbatch feels frustrated over postponements - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

John Cumberbatch is chomping at the bit to see his Ashford Town side in action, writes Stephen McCartney.

Since taking sole charge of the side when Tim Thorogood decided to step aside as joint-manager to concentrate as chairman and director of football, the home game against Horsham YMCA and trips to Kent rivals Sittingbourne and Chatham Town over the past ten days have fallen victim to postponements due to waterlogged pitches.

Ashford haven’t played since winning 3-0 at Corinthian Casuals on Tuesday 21^st November, and due to their inactivity, are just two points clear of the drop zone in the bottom three.

Leatherhead are expected to visit the Homelands on Tuesday night but there will be a lunchtime pitch inspection to see if the game goes ahead.

The Tanners reached the first round proper of the FA Cup last month, but were knocked out at Torquay United.

But Cumberbatch’s men are desperate to blow away the cobwebs.

“It’s very frustrating because we’re already in a situation where we’ve not played for two weeks and the players have lost match fitness,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after tonight’s training session on an Astroturf playing surface in Rochester.

“It doesn’t matter what you do in training, you can only get match fitness from playing so we’re going be at a disadvantage to whoever we play.

“Most other teams have had a game cancelled and to have three cancelled on the trot is very frustrating.

“We could have five games cancelled which will be a major setback, if the rain continues.”

Ashford, on paper, welcome highflying Fleet Town to the Homelands on Saturday, a side managed by former England international Andy Sinton.

The Hampshire side are currently in third place in the Ryman League Division One South table - just four points behind leaders Dulwich Hamlet.

“We felt the last three games that have been cancelled, Chatham, Horsham and even Sittingbourne, we felt we could certainly taken perhaps seven points from those games - that would have been our target,” said Cumberbatch.

“Injuries are clearing up and that is a good thing but I do think that is balanced off that we’re not playing games.

“I would still preferred to play the games. I’ve got a group of players who want to play football and not training all the time.”

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk