Dave Carter fearful weather could intervene as Moneyfields prepare for trip to flood-hit Slimbridge

He is due to take his side to flood-hit Gloucestershire to face Slimbridge in the Southern League Division 1 South.

‘We have 15 league games to play and are also still in two cups with 10 weeks of the season left,’ said Carter.

‘If we lose many more games to the weather then it will start to bite.

‘In the last week, we have lost a league and a cup game to the rain.

‘Slimbridge is right on the border with some of the worst-affected areas from Storm Dennis.

‘It is a tough 250-mile round trip for us and we have to be prepared for that.

‘We will need to be resilient which to be fair, apart from our defeat at Cirencester, we have been.

‘Defensively, we have got better and looked far more solid.

‘The return of our number one goalkeeper Jake Hallett has helped a lot.’

Moneyfields are still without top scorer Steve Hutchings who, because of the weather, is yet to start a two-match suspension.

In his absence, the visitors will look to Lewis Fennemore, Joe Briggs and Miles Everett to provide the firepower.

Brett Poate returns at the back for his first game since injury.

Carter is still undecided whether to use the versatile Sam Pearce in defence or as a target man.

Moneyfields are third from bottom, but nine points ahead of basement club Barnstaple with three games in hand.

The Moneys boss will look to juggle his resources ahead of a tough week that also sees them host AFC Bournemouth in the semi-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup next Tuesday followed by a Hampshire derby at Winchester City.

One player who has made a good impression this season is defender Jamie Ford.

‘Jamie was with us two seasons ago but dropped down to AFC Portchester last season,’ said Carter.

‘He has come back to us, got himself a bit fitter, and is having a good season.

‘He’s good in the air and has played an influential part in our greater security at the back.’