The postponement of Saturday’s Skrill South match against Chelmsford City means fixture congestion is inevitable for Eastleigh later in the season.

After progressing to the third round of the FA Trophy, after the 2-0 Gateshead win last weekend and now the cancellation of the Clarets match, it means that they will have to make up for these games at a vital time in the season.

And manager Richard Hill has his concerns about the fixture pile up. “If there’s any positive to that it’s that it’s a home game,” he said.

“My headache comes when we have a lot of postponements when they’re away games and we’re playing three or four away games on the spin,” he added.

“We were already scheduled for the three away games in February, which is unfair, especially when it’s coming up to such an important time in the season.

“We’ve had to put the Bishop’s Stortford game back into February as well from January 11, so we’re effectively going for four away, one at home in February so that’s a bit disappointing, at least with a home game we will be able to balance that out slightly.”

Eastleigh now face eight games in January before away trips to Whitehawk, Tonbridge Angels, Bishop’s Stortford and Farnborough the following month. Amid blanket cancellations of Sydenhams Premier and Division 1 fixtures on Saturday, as well as many Southern Premier League and Skrill South clashes in Hampshire, the only match left on in the area was Aldershot Town’s 6-0 mauling of Tamworth in the Skrill Premier.

But it looked as if Easleigh’s match might have gone ahead with the Spitfires faithful working hard in an attempt to try and get the pitch ready for action.

Hill admitted how much he valued the helpers that turned out at 10.30am to try and get the game on.

“That is symptomatic of our football supporters,” he said.

“It shows the enthusiasm that they have for this football club and it’s not just today, it was the other week when we played Farnborough and last January when we had snow on the ground and when we tried to get the game for Truro going ahead.

“These people have a great enthusiasm for this football club and when they’re asked to volunteer, they come in their numbers – credit to them.”

Eastleigh are now preparing for Boxing Day action at Skrill South strugglers Dorchester Town before facing Bath City next Saturday and The Magpies again on New Year’s Day at the Silverlake.