MATTY Holmes admits Wimborne Town face a "ridiculous" fixture schedule as the season enters its home stretch.

Starting on Saturday, Magpies are due to play 11 games in 37 days – including the Dorset Senior Cup final – and there is also a Southern League West trip to Shortwood United to rearrange.

Asked about the busy calendar, boss Holmes told the Daily Echo: "It's ridiculous but they need to get all the games done by a certain date in April.

"I shouldn't gripe as there are clubs worse off but it's ludicrous that these lads have to work and play games in that timescale.

"The transfer deadline is next week and although we are okay at the moment, it only takes one or two injuries after that date to cause problems.

"It's a tough old time for clubs at our level. We will need a bit of luck along the way and, hopefully, we will get performances which give us the results we want."

Wimborne travel to Kidlington this weekend without the suspended Luke Burbidge and the unavailable Paddy Hester.

The fourth-place Cuthbury side are unbeaten in seven in all competitions and are four points short of Holmes's 58-point target.

The manager added: "It's a great time to be around the club. We reached the Dorset Senior Cup final and also did the double over Swindon Supermarine to go fourth.

"Our goals scored total is already better than last season and our goal difference is excellent.

"We just want to beat things from last season and if we keep going and achieve more and more, that will be unbelievable.

"The boys are doing really well and deserve to be where they are."