Alfreton v AFC Telford: Bucks run risk of being caught cold

Adverse weather conditions mean the Bucks have played just once in the month of March – and that was one to forget.

Losing 3-0 at Southport last Tuesday, Rob Edwards’ side were hoping to respond at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

They did not get the chance though because of the snow.

And you do wonder whether Telford will be caught cold here.

Yes, they deserve to be where they are – third bottom in National League north, three points from safety – but the impact of having games called off at a regular rate cannot be understated.

It is not the main reason the Bucks have struggled so much, but it has played a part.

It has been so stop-start over the past few months.

This meeting with Alfreton Town is one that was originally intended to go ahead earlier in the campaign.

There is a little bit of doubt whether it will go ahead this time too.

The Reds were supposed to go up against Kidderminster Harriers at home at the weekend, but the pitch did not hold up.

If the surface is deemed playable – and fingers firmly crossed that it is – Telford will be hoping to fare batter than they did in the reverse fixture.

Alfreton won 2-1 at the New Bucks Head in November, Craig Westcarr and Tom Allan getting the goals for them.

Elliot Newby replied before half-time for the hosts, but they could not draw level in the second period even though they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

“It’ll be a difficult match,” said under-pressure Edwards.

“They beat us at home when we didn’t start the game well enough. They can play, they’ve got players who can hurt you so we’ve got to be on it.”

One thing the lack of games has done is allowed several Bucks players to get over some niggling injuries.

Edwards does have Amari Morgan-Smith suspended, though.

This is the first of a three-match ban for the striker after he received a straight red card late on at Southport.

Jordan Lussey, Henry Cowans, Connor Johnson and Anthony Dwyer were left out of the squad at Haig Avenue and are hoping to be back involved.

Striker Kane Richards is looking to make his first Telford start, after making his debut as a substitute in that loss a week ago.