Snow makes it difficult but it's same for all

IT was disappointing to be without a game for New Year's Day this year.

We managed to get some training in on the pitch on Saturday but there was no way that the pitch was playable against Kettering.

It was just frozen hard in places and there's nothing you can really do about it.

What it does do is make training really patchy and difficult but you have to make the best of it and do what you can really.

Pretty much every other team is in the same boat at the end of the day and I guess most teams can expect a bit of a backlog of fixtures as a result.

It remains to be seen whether the FA Trophy tie against Gainsborough Trinity takes place this weekend. We'll just have to wait and see how the weather develops.

If it goes ahead, of course, it's one that we are looking forward to because the Trophy offers us a chance to play at Wembley and the opportunity to add some more silverware.

It's a good draw for us, I feel, but also a tough draw.

If we work hard for each other, all put in a shift and perform as I know we can, then we have every right to feel confident of getting a result.

We will be the favourites on paper but that's not always an advantage.

But we know we have no divine right to go there and win so it's all about putting in the right effort and applying ourselves properly.

Looking back on Christmas, it seems a while ago now but I thought we played really well at Kettering on Boxing Day.

We created chances and it was just a shame we couldn't take one.

The following game against Forest Green, we looked a little tired, maybe, because it wasn't as good a display.

But overall we did well over the festive period – though four points would have been a better and more deserved return from the games I think.

Finally, I think I have to end by mentioning Neil MacKenzie's absence for the Forest Green game.

It wasn't funny at the time because he had had a great game against Kettering and it was a blow losing him for the Forest Green game.

But we can look back and see the funny side of it now.

For anyone that doesn't know, Macka missed the game because he was hit by a flying wayward ball struck by Dale Belford in the warm up – he's been named and shamed!

Dale was warming up with Cocky (Danny Alcock).

I have to say I missed the incident because I'd jogged back to the changing room to get some water but the lads found the incident amusing.

Apparently, Macka was staggering like he'd been a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

Fortunately, he was ok but I know Dale was a worried man on the bench. If we'd lost the game because of the absence of a key player, he wouldn't have lived it down!