FAWLEY AFC, in common with many clubs, have suffered their fair share of injuries already this season.

And Oilers chairman Kevin Mitchell is not surprised.

He reckons the hard, late-summer pitches, combined with a packed schedule of games, make it inevitable that there will be a high quota of bumps, pulls and bruises before the first frost of autumn appears.

“By September 3 we’d played our tenth league and cup game of the season. Back in the old days when I was playing, that’s when the season started!” he said.

“Add to that the pre-season friendlies and our first-team squad had already played 14 games.

“I can understand why the decision was made to start the season early because, with the threat of bad weather, there’s always the fear that season won’t be finished on time.

“But I still think kicking off on August 1 was a little bit early and when you’re playing twice a week, it’s no wonder you get injuries. The pitches aren’t exactly soft at the moment and it’s hard going on knees, hamstrings etc.

“That’s why at this level it’s important to have a decent sized squad.

“You couldn’t rely on the same 16 or 17 players every week and I’m looking forward to when all the holidays are over and our injured players start coming back.”

Fawley had as many as eight players missing for their recent back-to-back Sydenhams Premier wins over Christchurch and Portchester.

“The lads who’ve come in have done really well,” said Mitchell.

“Martin Buckthorpe, who’s normally a right-back, came back from injury and played alongside Aaron Lucas in central defence and they’ve performed well together.

“(Midfielder) Lewis Ross came back from a foot injury against Christchurch, but re-injured himself and was taken off after ten minutes

“We were without ’keeper Joe Prodomo for a couple of games after he got concussion at Whitchurch and had young Darren Winter in goal again.”

Fawley are still without summer strike signing Joe Wood, who has a broken wrist, and they await the return of right-sided midfielder Roy Johnson, out for nearly a year with a knee injury.

“Our sports physio’s been working really hard with Roy. He’s had a bit of a reaction and we won’t take any chances until he’s fully fit,” said Mitchell.

“Once we get all our injured players back it will make a difference.”

Fawley’s winning run was brought to an end at Fareham Town on Saturday where they bowed out of the FA Vase 2-0.

But the Oilers - jointly managed by Richie Coxall (pictured) and Callum Earl - will be gunning for their third straight league victory at home to Bemerton Heath Harlequins tomorrow (Wednesday).