Taking to the hills

With the prospect that their league tie with Ashfield might finally go ahead at Saracen Park on Saturday, manager John Queen had his players out for a hill run in Cumbernauld Park.

Queen said: "We're trying to do a bit of work on the players' conditioning. During the bad weather we've been able to train in the Tryst most Wednesday nights, but it's really just a big games hall - when the boys come in, we're mostly just doing a warm up then playing small games.

"The five and seven-a-side pitches at out park are still out of commission with the snow that's lying on them and our pitch is the same.

"But I think it's been like that for every other Junior club, it's disjointed for everybody, we've just got to get on with it and make sure we're ready for Saturday."

United's fixture with Ashfield was originally scheduled for November 27, however, heavy snowfall resulted in the game being postponed until the following Saturday, December 4.

But the inclement weather continued, meaning the game had to be rescheduled for this Saturday.

United haven't played a competitive match since their unlucky three-all draw away to Clydebank in the middle of November.

Queen hopes it will be third time lucky for the Ashfield game this Saturday, and admits he admires what the Glasgow side have achieved in the Super League First Division.

He said: "Ashfield are a not bad side at all. They've been holding their own in this league for the last couple of seasons. When they got promoted a few seasons ago it was probably a bit of a similar situation to ourselves. They've managed to finish in the top six most seasons so it'll be a tough game."