TONIGHT’S Sydenhams League Cup quarter-final between Newport IoW and Sholing has been postponed after the Islanders' St George’s Park pitch failed a 1pm inspection.

It adds to a mounting fixture backlog for Sholing, who have a minimum of 22 first-team matches left to cram in by the end of April – plus several other fixtures.

Sholing secretary Greg Dickson said: “This is our tenth postponement of the season - not as bad as some other clubs, I know, but nevertheless it is generating problems such as losing regular volunteers with the lack of matches at the moment.

"Plus, fringe and reserve players are drifting away through lack of game time."

Such is the Boatmen’s dearth of action that they have played only four matches – two at home against Fareham and Gosport and two away at Salisbury and Winchester – in the last 53 days.

“We currently have a minimum of 22 matches left to play within 78 days. We were told at the weekend’s Wessex meeting that the season has to complete by the end of April,” said Dickson.

“We have 11 matches each home and away but, added to that, we have to fit into our schedule SDFA Cup ties, with semi-finals of the Women's Cup and Southampton Senior Cup as well as three of their scheduled finals.

"These matches are very important to the club as it generates valuable revenue.

“Our reserves have a similar plight having had 12 matches postponed this season. This includes our away John Stimpson Shield match which has been postponed four times. We are hoping it is played on Saturday at the fifth time of asking.”

Unsurprisingly Fareham Town’s scheduled home game with Bournemouth Poppies in the Sydenhams Premier is also postponed tonight. Due to dire drainage problems at Cams Alders, the Creeksiders have not staged a home game for over three months.