Last night's Ryman League Premier Division postponement against Enfield at Boreham Wood added to Hendon's utter frustration.

Manager Frank Murphy said, "After we finally got rid of all the rain that fell at the end of last year, it freezes. This weather is a joke. We are having a nightmare and the way things are going I don't think we will ever get our fixtures played.

"At least this latest break is giving our injured players the chance to recover without missing too many matches," admitted Mr Murphy looking for something positive.

"The player who is really cursing is goalkeeper Gary McCann. He should have started his comeback in November but couldn't get a game until after Christmas because it was too wet. Now he is ready to play and he can't. Today was going to be his first League start."

McCann, a fixture between the sticks for Hendon since he joined in March 1997, suffered a major knee injury in April 2000. He underwent surgery in the summer and worked like a Trojan on his rehabilitation under the expert guidance of physio Gary Anderson to be ready for games. However, the wettest autumn since records began meant that Hendon Reserves could not play between 4 November and 13 January.

"I have tried to stay positive," McCann admitted, "but it was depressing and frustrating waiting to get back in action. My knee was fine, but I just needed games to get back my sharpness."

Hendon have played just 5 Ryman League matches since 11 November. Provided their trip to Croydon goes ahead this weekend, Hendon will have to play 24 League fixtures in the final 15 weeks of the season in addition to the 2 cup ties that the Greens have to fit in.