TIVIDALE are facing a pitch battle to get their Midland Alliance title charge back on track after this week's game against Coleshill Town became the latest casualty to the weather.

Despite winning 15 and drawing the other two of their 17 league games so far this season, Tivvy find themselves falling further behind in the title race, owing to postponed matches.

Spokesman Leon Murray admitted there was a problem with their Packwood Road pitch, but claimed the club weren't too concerned at the moment.

He claimed: "The drainage on the ground isn't great, because there's a great deal of clay under the pitch and it holds the water. We need a windy day to dry the pitch out.

"If we get a flash flood or sudden downpour, that's when we struggle to cope. But it's something we've become used to".

Although Tivvy have taken 47 out of a possible 51 points, they remain second in the Midland Alliance. some seven points behind leaders Highgate United, who have played seven games more going into the Christmas programme.

Murray maintained: "We have accounted for that. At the moment we're upto two games a week, but we can cope with that as manager Stuart Scriven has now adopted a squad rotation policy.

"We're still involved with the Walsall Senior Cup and the J W Hunt Cup and it was designed to enter these competitions to keep the fringe players involved.

"But Stuart's got an 18 strong squad at the moment and anyone of them can come in a do a job.

"We've also got a number of players out on loan at the moment which can call upon".

Tivvy currently have central defender Levi Bailey at Brocton, Tom Overfield at Dudley Town, Dan Evans is with Dudley Sports, while goalkeeper Tim Beach is helping out at Wolves Casuals.

At the moment, Tivvy are keeping their  fingers crossed the weather will relent for the Boxing Day match with Tipton Town.