Selby Town chief left treading water as match is abandoned

The former Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town player was appointed Robins manager on November 26 but his team have played only one game under his leadership.

Saturday’s Northern Counties East League division one match against Pontefract Collieries was the latest to fall foul of the weather.

A host of fixtures have fallen by the wayside due to a combination of frozen or waterlogged pitches, plus a vandalised boiler at Flaxley Road.

The club’s next scheduled fixture was a January 9 trip to Albion Sports, but the Pontefract game has now been relisted for Saturday, December 29, kick off 3pm.

Dring’s side are nine points adrift at the bottom but with three games in hand and the manager said: “It’s horrendous.

“We are training all the time but we want to be playing games. It’s been stop-start since I came in. I’ve only had one game with the lads and that’s not good.

“We’ve trained twice in the week and had a friendly run out at Brigg Town, but you need match fitness. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about the weather.”

He added: “I have been able to get my ideas across to the players in training and the new lads have settled in.

“There is good banter between the players, but it’s not the same as playing matches. It’s a bit of a nightmare, but I suppose there are other clubs in the same situation.”

That one fixture was a 2-1 defeat away to leaders Athersley Recreation. After a goalless opening hour, Selby took the lead before succumbing to two late goals.

Dring said: “We did well against Athersley and hopefully we can carry that on.

“In the position we are in, the quicker we can get back playing and picking up points the better.”

Meanwhile, Knaresborough Town’s division one game at Dinnington Town was also postponed on Saturday.

Harrogate Town’s trip to Bishop’s Stortford in Blue Square Bet North was rained off, as was Harrogate Railway Athletic’s game at home to Bamber Bridge in Evo-Stik League division one north.