Barnoldswick and Silsden under the weather (From Craven Herald)

Barnoldswick and Silsden under the weather as firstures continue to pile up

2:31pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in Sport

Barnoldswick Town and Silsden have every reason to be feeling under the weather.

Both clubs are facing big North West Counties Premier Division fixture backlogs.

Tuesday night’s postponement of Barnoldswick’s match at Colne – after two inspections – was their tenth of the season.

But that figure has been surpassed by Silsden who have had matches called off on 14 occasions.

The Cobbydalers have had ten out of their last 17 games postponed.

With the North West Counties League not prepared to allow an extension to the season beyond the end of April, both clubs face a hectic final three months.

It means that Barnoldswick have 21 of their 42 matches to play in 13 weeks while Silsden have 20 to fit in.

Both are due to play home fixtures on Saturday, Barnolds- wick tackle Stockport Sports while Silsden entertain Glossop North End.

However with more wet weather forecast it is a real possibility that both clubs face further problems this weekend.

The Stockport game is due to start a sequence for Barnolds- wick which sees them play nine of their next ten games at home.

They will desperately be hoping for some drying conditions as the postponed matches are draining both club finances and support.

Club secretary Lynn James admitted: “This is all very frustrating. As a club we still have overheads to pay but with no home matches there isn’t any revenue coming in.

“It is a miserable time for everybody and it is going to be a tough finish.

“We will regularly be having to play twice a week and that puts a strain on the managers and players.”

The new management duo of Kevin Richardson and Paul Fildes have made their first signing.

The experienced Silsden def- ender James Nettleton has followed winger Andy Lee to Barnoldswick.

His departure has heightened the need for Silsden to bolster their squad.

Their assistant boss Paul Schofield said: “We are under no illusions that attracting players is not easy at this stage of the season.”

Former players Matthew Bland and Michael Rosser have re-signed for the club, while ex-Padiham striker Dan Stubber- field and goalkeeper Jordan Watson have joined the ranks.

Schofield added: “If you are playing local level football you might have about 12 or 13 games left but at North West Counties League level you might have 22 or 23 games.

“We are asking the lads to play a lot of games and we will keep looking to get some extra bodies in as cover. We will have a lot of night matches and some lads work shifts.”