Shaw Lane AFC manager Paul Quinn admits the 'overwhelming' schedule of at least 18 games in 49 days might damage his side's title challenge but insists first place is still achievable.
The Ducks have played just 29 of their scheduled 46 Evo-Stik Premier Division matches so far, which is the fewest of any side in their league while their rivals have played up to seven games more.
With the season to end on April 28, Paul Quinn's men have seven weeks to play their remaining 17 league fixtures as well as a Sheffield Senior Cup semi-final.They have at least two fixtures booked in for every week until the end of the season while they will have at least three three-game weeks, a figure that is likely to increase with more bad weather.
Shaw Lane – who have played one league game in the last month – were due to host leaders Altrincham on Saturday but the game was called off and the two clubs are still yet to meet this season after a series of postponements. Altrincham are 13 points clear of the Ducks having played three more games.
The Ducks – whose Monday home match against play-off hopefuls Grantham Town was also cancelled – are third in the league which has one automatic promotion place to the National League North as well as four play-off positions.
Quinn said: "Having so many games will make things tougher for us but we can certainly still get that first place. Altrincham have a lot of games to play as well and we still have to play them twice this season. There are a lot of other clubs who will be looking at that first place as well, not just us and Altrincham.
"We're hoping to bring in a couple of extra players to boost our numbers and take us from a squad of 19 to about 22. Then we can rotate and keep players fresh.If you look at the big picture of 18 or 19 games in seven weeks then it is very overwhelming but we are just breaking it down to segments of three or four games and focusing on that."
Shaw Lane – who are unbeaten in eight games with wins in the last three – are now due to host bottom club Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday and 21st-placed Stalybridge Celtic on Monday. Quinn said: "Sutton are fighting for their lives and Stalybridge have been on really good form since Christmas, so they will be two tough games."
