Groundsman Steve Hackett working tirelessly to try and get the pitch playable

Ashford Town’s volunteer groundsman Steve Hackett has been praised by Maidstone United officials for his work on the pitch in the past few days.

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said Hackett had ‘worked tirelessly from Thursday to Tuesday’ in an attempt to get Maidstone’s FA Trophy first round tie against Histon on – a feat which could not be achieved on Saturday or Tuesday.

After using heaters, blowers and drainage systems with the help of fellow volunteers, Hackett said the pitch was improving all the time and hoped Town’s game against Croydon on Saturday would beat the elements.

He said: "The appalling weather has not helped and the sheer number of games played on the pitch has not helped but it is getting better."

Hackett said Town had played on worse pitches than the one deemed unplayable on Tuesday night but said he was hopeful Saturday’s game would be on.

He said: "The frost actually helps and the forecast is for freezing temperatures this week.

"I wouldn’t mind if it snows because snow is easier to clear off the pitch than people might think."