Cricklefield manager discusses players suspended and upcoming fixtures

Ilford Recorder: Barkingside are battling to stay in the league Pic: Alexander Mandelstam.Barkingside are battling to stay in the league Pic: Alexander Mandelstam. (Image: Archant)

Barkingside boss Matt Frew is happy to return to the helm after a short break from the role and is confident about his side’s chances of remaining in Ryman North.

Last weekend’s game at Thurrock was postponed and the midweek clash with Cheshunt was also off.

That gave Frew more time to think about whether to return after taking a break and he is back, despite admitting it was a tough decision.

“I’m all right and still resting up and taking it easy,” he said.

“It was a hard decision because you have to weigh everything up.

“But football is my fix and my enjoyment. It gives me a release from everything.”

But Frew will be doing things differently this time around.

He added: “I am going to sit away from the dugout and sit in the stands and see how it goes.

“I will be there and be part of it, but I am going to take a slightly different approach.

“It might work, it might not. But it’s something I want to do.”

Barkingside have two matches at Cricklefield this week as they welcome Soham Town Rangers on Saturday, before Heybridge Swifts visit on Monday night.

But Frew is confident, adding: “It seems to have clicked for the players. It was going to happen and it happened at this time last season as well.

“Hopefully now we can kick on because we have a lot of big games coming up like Soham on Saturday and Heybridge on Monday night.”

Chris Clark, Lee Weemes and Andy Edmunds will miss out this week through suspension after they all received red cards at Needham Market.

And Frew is especially disappointed for Weemes, adding: “It is a shame for Lee because he has been getting fitter and sharper week by week.

“He is starting to show his ability and he is gutted and if games get called off it could be longer than just a week he misses, but we have strength in depth and players that can come in and do a job.”

Barkingside went to Soham earlier in the campaign and achieved a fine 5-1 victory.

And the Side boss wants another three points this weekend as they look to move out of the bottom three.

Frew said: “We went to Soham earlier in the season and it was probably one of our best performance away from home.

“They seem to be one of them teams that get beat quite a bit, but aren’t ever in danger. They are a really good side though, and have some good individual players. It is a big game for us and one we hope to get a positive result from.”