Halifax v Barnet: Aspin worried Shay pitch could take heavy toll on his players

The standard of the pitch hit the national headlines on Saturday with long streaks of sand covering the surface for the game with Bristol Rovers.

The Shay has suffered drainage problems in recent seasons, and what did not help matters was the fact that a rugby league match was played on the surface on Sunday.

“We had a rugby match on it (on Sunday), which would have helped flatten it down,” joked Aspin.

However, despite his levity, Aspin knows the effect it could have on the team if postponements result in a cluttered end-of-season fixture list.

“With the rain that is forecast as well, I just don’t know,” he said about the prospects of tonight’s game with Barnet going ahead.

“What can you do? We have to hope it is not looking too bad and try and get it in some sort of state (for tonight). It is the fact it is so heavy on the legs as well, the players are running on sand.

“If you try and run on the beach then you will know what it is like on your legs. It is heavier and that is going to have an effect. Whether I need to make any changes or not, I will have to see how the players are.”

On tonight’s promotion-chasing opponents, he added: “We have to play Barnet twice so we will feature heavily.”