Sauchie boss Fraser Duncan reckons a winter break would be the best answer for Junior football after last weekend’s fixtures across the country fell foul of the freezing weather conditions.

The Beechwood Park pitch was judged to be unplayable by the match referee on Saturday morning and while the gaffer believes that decision was premature, he also reckons it is a good argument for the league taking January off.

The call off has also given a number of players on the treatment table to edge closer to a return to action for the Super League East side.

Duncan told Advertiser sport: “I was disappointed with the decision to call the game off by the referee because the game was called off at 10am, but only an hour later the pitch was absolutely perfect.

“Unfortunately, he has probably called it off too early, but then it gives us another week to get some of our missing players back. Danny Ashe is only a week or two away now, Ally Burns is getting closer all the time to full fitness and Gary Bonnes is on the mend as well.

“Ally’s progression is most pleasing because he is completing full training sessions now and just needs to put the finishing touches on now to his sharpness and recovery. I am not too bothered about the games being postponed because I would much prefer to have the whole of January off if we had the choice.

“I just think the pitches are better beyond January, the boys aren’t standing around in freezing weather and they will enjoy it more. I think this week will be touch and go as well up at Carnoustie, but we will have to wait and see.” The former Ipswich Town trainee has had a busy week with some dramatic arrivals and departures at the Clackmannanshire outfit including the return of two fan favourites.

He said: “Jinky is a player who has been here before so we are well aware of what he can bring and what he has in his locker. I think he will give us that wee bit of composure on the ball that we have been lacking.

“He will pick out things that others won’t see so I delighted to finally have him back after months of nipping his ear to return.

“He is still a few weeks away from full fitness, but I am sure he won’t be long in getting going again. We have lost Jon Tully to East Stirling and Craig Johnston has left to go to Annan.

“It is disappointing to lose the players, but I guess it proves the standard we have here at Sauchie. Tully will be the biggest miss for us and we may need to look to replace him because it has left us short at the back.

“There was more good news though because Collin Samuel has arrived back from Trindad and will be re-joining the club until the end of the season. He will be involved in the squad for Saturday and I am delighted to have the big man back.” Sauchie now face a difficult trip to Carnoustie, and weather permitting, the 31-year-old manager reckons his men will be in for another tough scrap for points.

Duncan added: “Carnoustie is a hard fixture for us because it is always a difficult place to go. They are fighting hard to keep themselves in the league so we know it will be tough.

“Every point is a massive one for us at the minute to ensure we stay in the top half of the table so we know what we have to do.”