HEYBRIDGE Swifts boss Jody Brown is desperately hoping that his players take to the pitch on Saturday.

The Scraley Road outfit played their first game of 2014 on Tuesday night, a 2-2 Ryman One North draw against visiting Dereham Town.

The recent wet weather has frustarted the new Swifts manager in his attempts at getting game time with his players because of the number of postponements.

Swifts are due to entertain AFC Sudbury on Saturday and Brown is hoping the home pitch stands-up to the recent rain.

Brown said: “Our groundsman worked wonders to get the game on on Tuesday night.

“We were a little below par but we are in a building phase and when you don’t play games you don’t grow as a group “We need to get three of four back-to-back games played.

“We are trying to play a new system with new players.

“We really need to get game time so that we can work things out.”

Looking ahead to the Sudbury match, Brown added: “Robbie King took a bit of a knock to the ankle on Tuesday night but I am pretty sure he will be alright for Saturday.

“I am hoping Danny Barber will also be available.

“He is the only real left-back at the club and I have tried to play a three of four players there.

“It is a massive gap for us but hopefully he will be back.”

Striker Jamie Guy proved to be the hero for Heybridge on Tuesday as his late debut goal earned them a point.

Swifts had to come from behind twice against visiting Dereham Town at Scraley Road on Tuesday to earn a 2-2 draw.

Guy joined Swifts from Needham Market last week and scored deep into injury-time to earn a share of the spoils.

Brown said: “I am pleased for Jamie, he looked good for us. He was one of our shining lights and he got a vital goal at a vital time.

“He is a goalscorer and with goalscorers the more goals they get the more their confidence grows.”