Warrington Town manager hits out at packed schedule

Two games per week has been the norm since the campaign started last month, and it is set to continue in that vein for a while yet.

For Warrington Town, they currently have a midweek game scheduled in four of the next five weeks – and that is without any cup replays forcing reshuffles.

Yellows’ Premier Division campaign continues apace this week with two games back at Cantilever Park – they welcome Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday before an intriguing-looking clash with unbeaten Buxton on Tuesday.

For a squad that is stretched and missing key players such as Jack Mackreth, Evan Gumbs and others, it is a big ask and on the injury front at least, it seems to be a case of “one step forward, one step back.”

Defender Matt Regan is nursing a knock that may keep him out of Saturday’s game, but Town are likely to be able to call upon fellow centre-half Mo Ali again after a period in self-isolation.

Matt Regan is Warrington Town’s latest injury worry. Picture by Karl Vallentine

For manager Paul Carden, though, part of the problem lies in a schedule he says is “not fair” on players at all clubs after a long period of Covid-enforced inactivity.

“I just hope the 16 we had at Lancaster come through and are okay,” he said.

“Matty Regan might be struggling – we might need to bring another defender in but we’ve got Mo Ali returning. He should be available for us.

“The squad will get stronger but every time we seem to get one back, we lose another one.

“It’s what’s going to happen to a lot of clubs after such a period of not playing.

“The way the league do it when you’re playing Saturday-Tuesday every week – I don’t know why we don’t follow the National League North and just play Saturdays.

“For some reason, we cram games in now and we cram them in at the end of the season.

“It’s not fair on lads – they’re getting injured and it’s impacting on their work.

“There needs to be some common sense shown and there doesn’t seem to be.”

Yellows have had a productive week, with 1-0 wins on the road at Lancaster City in the league and Kendal Town in the FA Cup.

Their promising form faces two more tough examinations in the coming days, but Carden is bullish about the ability of his squad.

“They are all tough depending on how you perform,” he said on the Gainsborough and Buxton clashes.

“I believe we’ve got a squad strong enough to match anyone in the league.

“If we perform, we will win games but if we have more players off it than on it, we will make it hard for ourselves no matter who we’re playing.”