EVESHAM United manager Paul West has conceded his side are in a relegation dogfight as they bid to beat the wintry weather on Saturday.

Third-from-bottom United are scheduled to travel to Brackley Town (ko 3pm) in the Zamaretto League Premier Division after their last two league games have fallen foul of the weather.

The Robins’ home clashes with Chesham United and Salisbury City were both called off due to frozen pitches, meaning Evesham have not played since a 2-2 draw with Chippenham Town on November 16.

The home date with Chesham United will now take place on Tuesday, January 18, and the Salisbury tie has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 8 (both ko 7.45pm).

Despite just five wins from their first 16 games, West remains optimistic his side can climb the table and hopes to start a revival on Saturday.

After this clash, United’s next league tie sees them travel to bottom-placed Weymouth on Saturday, December 11 (3pm).

West said: “Without a shadow of a doubt we’re definately in a relegation fight.

“But our current position can be a positive thing to motivate us. We are where we are for a reason.

“The bottom line is winning football matches. We have three games in hand on a lot of teams.

“The squad are totally committed to the challenge and taking it game by game.

“We deserve more points than we’ve got so far this season, but the league doesn’t lie. Our dressing room will stick together and get on with it. A few wins and it will all be different. But we have to deal with it now.

“We are trying to embrace the challenge and can’t afford to shirk or hide from it.

“We need to roll our sleeves up and knuckle down. There are a lot of points still to be played for and we have time to push on.”

Speaking on the enforced break due to the big freeze, he added: “It’s frustrating.

“All we can do is prepare for the Brackley game at the weekend.

“It’s important that we train hard and keep the players’ fitness levels up and keep them prepared both mentally and physically.

“The players are champing at the bit to get out there and play a game.”