CHRISTCHURCH boss Ollie Cherrett revealed his squad had taken to party planning in a bid to beat the tedium of postponed fixtures.

The Sydenhams Wessex One promotion chasers have featured just once in 2018 with a 2-1 home victory over Whitchurch coming last month.

Having played one game in five weeks due to postponements, Priory are fourth in the league with 43 points from 18 games.

Their latest clash at Ringwood Town on Saturday was another to be thwarted by a waterlogged pitch.

Cherrett told the Daily Echo: “I think the lads have quite enjoyed having a bit of a break because they have already managed to arrange the end of season do!

“But we are desperate to get started again. We are all looking forward to it.

“I have had enough Saturdays going shopping or being sat in watching Sky Sports News all day, it’s becoming a bit boring.”

Priory possess games in hand on every team in the division and will be looking to make up ground on the top three when they tomorrow visit Totton & Eling (7.45pm).

While his players have been left kicking their heels, the Hurn Bridge manager admitted his concern over match sharpness.

“Training is great and the boys can do their own little bits of running and gym work but nothing ever changes from getting game time,” he added.

“It’s just about getting our match fitness and, hopefully, continuing to win games.

“I am very lucky with the group of players we have. We have been training every Wednesday and when you get between 18 and 20 lads there it makes life a bit easier.

“We have had training games and the lads have worked really well but nothing really replicates game time. You have that competitive edge and it’s not the same mentally.

“For us now, we are starting again. It’s going to be difficult but the only thing we will be looking at against Totton is the result.”

Cherrett revealed 19 players have made themselves available to him for the clash against the Millers, meaning some will be forced to sit out.

But with his side having to play catch-up on their league schedule, the boss insists depth in his squad will be a big factor.

“With the amount of games we have coming up in a short period of time we have the opportunity to rotate the squad and keep everyone fresh,” he added.

“If we are going to be successful this season by winning promotion, and hopefully put the icing on the cake by doing better than that, we are going to need everyone to play a part.”

Doubles for Max Wilcock and Richard Gillespie, along with strikes from Luke Stone, Jon Blake and Grant Cormack gave Priory a 7-1 win over Totton & Eling back in September.