LEDBURY Town FC have are yet to play since their 3-3 draw with Bromyard Town on December, 21.
The side have been forced to endure a long period of absence following their comeback draw, which saw them fall to a 3-0 deficit at half time, before fighting back to take home the point.
"[The break in play] can be a blessing and sometimes it can be a curse," said manager Ian Merrick. "Obviously we had a comeback against Bromyard before Christmas, 3-0 down at half time and the second half performance was brilliant.
"So we had the high, and then you don't have any games. You have that lull."
With no fixture scheduled for this weekend, Merrick's side will have not played a competitive fixture in 33 days.
They were due to face off with Westfields Reserves last weekend, but the weather again proved detrimental across the country with numerous fixtures at the weekend falling victim to cancellations.
With no fixture this weekend, the side are looking to fill the gap with a friendly game this Friday (January 17), in order to try to retain match fitness and their sharpness within games.
Due to a gap in our fixture schedule, our First Team are looking for a friendly on Friday night at New Street. Please share. @HerefordshireFL @GlosCounty @HellenicLeague @YourHereford1 @SevernSport @ pic.twitter.com/m1rcbQpxs1
— Ledbury FC (@LedburyTown1893) January 13, 2025
Their next scheduled competitive fixture will see them take on Hereford Pegasus Development on the evening of Friday, January 24.
A decent outfit within the table, the side currently sit seventh - two points above Ledbury, having played once more in league competition.
Hereford Pegasus have played once so far in the New Year - losing 4-1 to first-placed AFC Kempsey.
In their last game of 2024, they took a monumental 8-2 victory over promotion hopefuls Kington Town.
Ledbury, on the other hand, are not targeting promotion this year, and did not apply for promotion to step six for next season, with the side seeing any chance of that an unlikely prospect.
"If we could finish in the top five or six from where we were, it would be a great achievement," he said. "There is no pressure, but if we could sneak into the top five.
"The three seasons I was here previously we never finished outside the top four. I think we are too far behind that, but if we could sneak into the top five or six, that would be a hell of a second half to the season."
READ MORE: Ledonites triumphant in YBL Challenge Cup semi final
Merrick is targeting a top six finish for this campaign, with hopes of instead attaining promotion next year.
"When I took over three years ago [promotion] was always my aim. My aim was to get Ledbury to step six, into the Hellenic pyramid," he said.
"Proper football, step six. That is where we want to be. Absolutely that will be our goal next season, [promotion] has to be the goal if you are playing football. You want to try and win, absolutely."
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