HARRY Wheeler says Billericay Town are seeing the next two weeks as “an opportunity”.

Town play three matches in the next five days and six before the month is out, as their cup commitments continue to affect their Isthmian Premier League schedule.

A trip to Merstham tonight is the next test for Glenn Tamplin’s league favourites.

And despite the match coming just two days before a lucrative FA Cup first round replay against Leatherhead, head coach Wheeler says Town will play a strong team.

“We are seeing this period as an opportunity,” he said. “It is almost a mini season within the season and we want to win every game.

“We want to get the points on the board and, should it be successful, then it can be very profitable.

“Merstham are a slightly unknown quantity and you don’t always get loads of information on teams at this level, but with the squad we have it is not who you play but how you play.

“That is not to say we are complacent though, and this match is every bit as important as the FA Cup match on Thursday.”

Wheeler added that Town agreed the match should be played tonight, despite the FA Cup clash being just around the corner.

And he said fixture congestion in the first half of the season was preferable to the second half.

“We had to get it in,” he said. “The second half of the season would be mad otherwise. We have a big and healthy squad so we decided to do it now when the fatigue levels are lower and the quality of the pitches are better.

“Thursday is in our thinking, of course. But we want to win this league so we won’t weaken.

“The likes of Joe Kizzi, Dean Inman, Sanchez Watt and Nick Wheeler are ineligible on Thursday so will play a big part tonight. We have Alan Julian back too so it will be a strong side.”