As Caersws prepare to end their weather enforced winter break at Rhydymwyn tomorrow (Monday), boss Mike Evans believes the cold snap has highlighted the lack of local year-round facilities.
The Bluebirds have not played a competitive match since November 20 and tomorrow’s match is rated as 50-50 by Rhydymwyn officials, who have a 9.30am pitch inspection.
And the long period of inactivity has been compounded by the struggle for suitable indoor or all weather facilities to keep the players in shape.
“It has been very hard and everyone just wants to just get on with it now,” said Evans. “It’s been very difficult to keep the lads motivated. We’ve been training on the snow which has not been ideal at all. It has been very hard to find a suitable local venue. The best we could get was 9-10pm on either a Monday or a Friday night in Welshpool (Flash) which was not really ideal for us.
“It’s not been good. By the end of November the fitness levels were excellent but the players have had a break now of similar length to pre-season. We’ve also got problems now with players suffering or recovering from flu.”
Graham Evans and Jack Hughes are two casualties of the virus but Neil Mitchell will miss the next two months of the season as he sets off travelling. Karl Seliarts is suspended but new signing Matty Davies could play his first match since switching from Penparcau. Mark Griffiths is also available again following his pre-Christmas trip to Australia.