BASILDON United manager Aaron Bloxham has hit out at the Essex Senior League fixture planners ahead of tonight’s match at Takeley.

Bees didn’t play on Saturday and they are also not in action this coming weekend.

And Bloxham says he has no idea why the fixtures have been planned this way but his team must deal with them regardless.

“I think having no fixture doesn’t help you in terms of the rhythm to your game,” he said. “It is far too stop-start. Of course, sometimes it can work for you in terms of injuries with players needing respite but that is the way it is so we must deal with it.

“Takeley got a good result against Southend Manor and we must keep their danger men under control.”

Basildon lost 4-2 in the reverse fixture four weeks ago and Bloxham says he expects better game management this time.

“In the last game we played against them we did well for 45 minutes before switching off and throwing the game away,” he said. “The players must stay focused and manage the game in the right way.”

John Easterford is out injured, although Lee Delf returns.