Crunch time for Harpenden

HARPENDEN Town manager Phil Childs was left frustrated as the club were denied the match with Hanwell Town on Saturday due to an unplayable pitch at Rothamsted Park. Childs was looking forward to the test of facing a top six side but he has now turned his attention to the three crunch games coming up. Harps go to Royston Town on Saturday before facing Biggleswade Town and Langford in the coming weeks. Childs said: "I am not worried about which teams we overtake as long as we overtake two. This is a really crucial three weeks for us." The new boss and his assistant coach Jason Haton have been working to add players to the squad and have completed the signing of goalkeeper Elliott Thomas and midfielder Matty Hogan. Childs said: "We have John Gregory in goal but we are trying to get competition for places. We want to keep the players on their toes. Elliott is a very good goalkeeper and Matty Hogan is a good midfielder who has played at a good level." The club have moved training to an all weather pitch in Luton and Childs feels that the work the players are putting in will soon benefit them during matches. He said: "The lads are really working hard for myself and Jason Haton, who came with me from Flamstead. He is a good coach and we are getting close to the fitness levels we want which will allow us to perform for 90 minutes. We are also getting the mentality that we will go out and score goals, rather than just try to limit the amount we concede." Childs is also set to be boosted by the return of club skipper Nathan Dawes who he feels should be an important player. He said: "He looks to have the quality that we want in the squad. It will be great to get him involved." With the club's survival bid now in full swing, Childs is worried the pitch at Rothamsted Park could cause fixture problems. He said: "It is unbelievable. I think ours was the only game in the league to be called off on Saturday. I knew we would lose games but I didn't think it would be this early.