MALMESBURY boss Simon Winstone is still upbeat on his side’s chances of survival despite his prediction that the weather will worsen Vics’ backlog of fixtures.

The Flying Monk outfit have only played twice in Division One West since November 18 and wet conditions could prevent tomorrow’s home clash against Carterton from going.

Sitting at the bottom of the table, Malmesbury have significant problems, but Winstone insists his team have the ability to leapfrog Letcombe and New College above them.

“We’re desperate to get on with it but I can’t see it happening on Saturday,” said Winstone.

“It’s a shame because we’re looking at the teams above us and we know a win would get us off the bottom.

We’ve got quite a lot of games in hand but we need to get playing and get our match sharpness.

“We’re confident if we can get the games that we can put some wins on the board, and if we can do that then it will look different.”

New College travel to Lambourn tomorrow, their opponents having welcomed utility man Tom Eatwell to their squad. Eatwell was Letcombe’s player of the year last term and can play full-back or centre-midfield.

Lambourn boss Rob Clark said: “I am delighted to sign a player with great versatility. He will give us a real boost going into the closing stages of the season.”

Meanwhile, Purton striker Richie Crocker reckons his team’s recent enforced hiatus from action has done them a favour ahead of their home game against Old Woodstock.

“I think we all needed a break to regroup, to be honest,” he said.

“It showed against Tytherington that we were completely unfit so quite a lot of us have been doing midweek running sessions to improve. Hopefully that extra training will help us when we play again.”

Elsewhere, Fairford’s chase for third spot continues when they take on hosts Hook.

In the Hellenic Premier, lowly Highworth travel to Slimbridge. Rock-bottom Shrivenham travel to Flackwell. Greg Higgs and Michael Scarff miss out through work commitments but Michael Silvanus and Paul Sanders return.