Sidmouth Town entertain table-topping St Martins at Manstone Lane on Saturday (3pm).

The Vikings, like every other side across the South West Peninsula League (SWPL) last weekend saw their match washed out.

Town manager Josh Stunell is quite at ease with the current situation. Always one to look on the positive side, he says: “The current lack of action has helped to clear up some of our injuries and the lads have continued to train very well. One thing I do feel is a factor is that we do have a predominantly young side and therefore their own personal; levels of fitness are good, so there’s no problem on that score. Of course, all teams are in the same boat.”

With regard to thoughts of a mid-winter break – even summer football – Stunell says: “Not for me. OK, we have been hit badly this season with the rain, but that was not the cast season and I doubt it will be next season. It’s the rub of the green and there’s plenty of playing time left in the season for us to get our rearranged matches in.”

One area that the Town boss feels woudl help is the creation of more articila surfaces, inparticualr the G3 and even G4 surfaces that are so commonplace in other countries.

Stunell says: “I do think more access to G3 pitches woudl help, certainly during periods of wet weather. I’d be very comfortable with my lads playing matches on a G3 pitch. After all, the surfaces these days are almost carpet-like and, if you cannot control and pass the ball properly, then you’ll always moan about an artifical surface.

“My lads are all very capable with the ball at their feet and I’d be quite happy to play other teams on a G3 pitch, but sadly there are so few around.”

If the Vikings take on St Martins then the Manstone Lane faithful will get their first glimpse of the new strike force Stunell wants to unleash.

Stunell says: “Jamie (Orchard) and Cameron (Vere) will be a handful for teams, of that I have no doubt. I am looking forward to seeing them in tandem in a match for the first time.”

The Town Reserves are in Fresha League action with a trip to second place Bickleigh who sit immedialtey above Town Reserves in the table.

Town thirds are in County Cup action at Otterton (2pm).