EP strengthen their squad for the run-in

EP had Saturday’s home match with Rye and Tuesday’s clash at home to Selsey postponed, meaning they now face the biggest fixture pile up in the entire County League.

They and Rye have played the fewest league matches, as they have both completed just 25 of their games, but EP still have Sussex RUR and Sussex Senior cup matches as well.

East Preston boss Dominic Di Paola believes the number of matches they have left is another factor against them in their outside Division 1 title chances and has been forced into adding to his side.

Atterwell, who started the season at Littlehampton, has joined and Mansfield, who has played for Worthing and Three Bridges this season, has also signed.

Di Paola said: “I’d been trying to sign Alan for about six weeks but he cracked a bone in his hand and is just coming back. When he’s fit and sharp, he’s a really good keeper and will be a good signing for us.

“And we saw Jamie wasn’t playing and got him transferred, I think he’s a good player and it gives us another strong face, we’re going to need numbers with the amount of games we have.”

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“Tom Boyle (goalkeeper) has gone back to Bognor and we need to make sure we’ve got some injury cover.”

EP are hoping to shift Tuesday night’s postponed game to tonight (Thursday) if Selsey agree and their pitch is playable.

Di Paola added: “I think it (fixtures) is just another thing to add towards costing us the league. We are not going to be able to stay consistent.

“We’ve got the worst fixture backlog in the league. Rye are out the cups, so will be able to get ahead and Peacehaven have got two games on us in the league. Somewhere along the line, we’re bound to slip up in a game we should be winning as we’ll be so tired.”