CLACH boss Iain Polworth admits his squad will be "in serious trouble" if Saturday's Highland League fixture at home to Lossiemouth bites the dust.
The Lilywhites, who have not played a competitive first-team fixture since thrashing Fort William on December 23, saw their latest game, away to Inverurie Locos, called off on Saturday due to a frozen pitch at Harlaw Park.
Clach, along with Fort and Keith, have only played 17 fixtures as we kick into February and the Grant Street manager stressed: "This call-off at Inverurie was a real frustration as we were desperate to get back into action. We were told on Friday night there was a 75 per cent chance that the game would go ahead, but obviously overnight frost took its toll.
"What it means is that we are starting to have a pile-up of fixtures, particularly away from home, which is far from ideal. We need to get going soon or we'll be in serious trouble and it's certainly a concern.
"These games will start coming thick and fast later this month and it's going to be tough on this squad, who just want to get going.
"I just gave most of the players who had been training constantly with no game at the end of the week the Saturday off, while some of the younger players were involved with the reserves in their match at Halkirk (a 3-2 Clach win in the James Mackay Cup quarter-final)."
So, Polworth is now hoping Saturday's home league clash against mid-table Lossiemouth gets the green light and he knows that this could be a tough test to come back to.
He said: "Lossie lost to Cove last weekend, but Cove are flying as they try to close the gap on Forres Mechanics. They have a number of really good players and (manager) Charlie Charlesworth has really got them fit and enthusiastic.
"They are more than holding their own at the top end of the table and we know this won't be easy. Having not had a game for so long, the park is looking in good shape and we're just eager to finally get going this year."
Missing for Clach - if their game goes ahead this weekend - are long-term knee injury victim Iain Penwright and Mark Kennedy, who is sidelined with ankle ligament damage.
