Moneyfields hoping Winchester City proves to be a 'happy hunting ground' yet again
Moneyfields continue their bid to climb away from the lower reaches of the Southern League Division One South table with a trip to Hampshire rivals Winchester City.
Dave Carter's side are keen to avoid conceding a league double to their seventh-placed hosts, who won 2-0 at Dover Road in November, with Ryan Pennery missing a penalty that day.
The Moneys boss accepts it is a difficult challenge for his team, who are missing a couple of key players.
‘Winchester are a good side, with pacy lads up front and strong at the back,’ he said.
‘They are up there pushing for the play-offs so will be keen to take maximum points.
‘We will have to make sure that we are resilient in defence.
‘It has been a happy hunting ground for us in the past.’
Moneyfields have already won twice at Winchester’s ground this term - beating City 1-0 in the Hampshire Senior Cup and also knocking tenants Basingstoke out of the League Cup in September.
Moneys also won 3-0 at Winchester in the league last season.
The visitors are without suspended striker Steve Hutchings while experienced defender Brett Poate is also unavailable.
‘Our biggest problem at the moment is coping with the stop-start nature of the season,’ Carter continued.
‘It is going to get ridiculous pretty soon.
‘We are still in two cups and have 15 league games left to play in the next eight weeks.
‘It is going to put a lot of pressure on the squad and as the season progresses, we are going to have to pick and choose who plays in what games.
‘Some of the players won't manage three games a week.
‘I will be signing up some of the reserve and youth team players to make sure that we have cover.
‘It has been one of those seasons where things have not gone well.
‘Losing Ryan Pennery long term and our goalkeeper (Jake Hallett) for 12 weeks hasn't helped.
‘Our aim now is to finish as well as we can, move up the league and progress in the two cups.’
Moneyfields are third from bottom, nine points ahead of basement side Barnstaple Town with three games in hand.
The Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final against AFC Bournemouth at Dover Road postponed in midweek has been rearranged for Tuesday week, March 10.