Easton made to wait as Humbugs are stuck in Hayling
Hayling boss Steve Poulton. Picture: Mick Young
Hayling United were spared a trip to Alton Town last night.
An early afternoon inspection found the Anstey Road pitch still frozen and the Wessex League premier division clash was postponed.
It means Humbugs boss Steve Poulton will have to wait a little longer to unleash his new striker Alex Easton.
Hayling host Totton & Eling on Saturday and the former Winchester City striker is expected to start.
‘We really fancied our chances at Alton – with our new 19-year-old striker Alex Easton on board,’ said Poulton.
‘But I wasn’t too surprised when the phone call came through calling the match off.
‘I have been up north in the past couple of days and have seen just how much snow there was.
‘But never mind, at least we were told in plenty of time and now we prepare ourselves for the weekend.
‘I just hope the weather warms up so that our match against Totton & Eling can be played.’
With the trip to Alton a non-starter, Poulton still called his players in for an impromptu training session.
He is confident the extra work will pay off as his rock-bottom side scrap for survival.
‘Everyone was looking to getting off work an hour or so earlier than usual for the trip up to Alton,’ he said.
‘And we felt we could get a good result on the back of the confidence the lads have been showing.
‘It’s always difficult telling players a match has been postponed and a training session will take its place.
‘But life is like that at every level of football and we are no different at Hayling.
‘Fitness is very much our focus if we are to continue competing at this level.
‘What we don’t want is to fall too far behind with our fixtures, though.
‘We don’t want to have to play catch up – particularly as none of the other clubs around us want to take over from us at the bottom.’
Alton chairman Jim McKell was disappointed the game became a victim of the big freeze but was pleased he could warn the Humbugs early.
‘The lunch-time inspection gave me the opportunity to notify Hayling early so not to disrupt any plans they had as an alternative,’ he said.
‘Hopefully, when the weather turns for the better, we can get on and enjoy what’s left of the season.’
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
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