St Ives Town boss Ricky Marheineke admits his players must find a way to overcome their pitch problems.

The Hunts Post: Ben Seymour-Shove opened the scoring seconds after coming on as a substitute at Redditch.Ben Seymour-Shove opened the scoring seconds after coming on as a substitute at Redditch. (Image: Archant)

The Saints entertain Weymouth in a Southern League Premier Division clash at ProEdge Westwood Road on Saturday, 3pm. They failed to find the net while losing their last two games on a pitch described as ‘horrendous’ by the boss.

But Marheineke certainly had no complaints with the slick 3G surface at Redditch last weekend, as Saints swooped for a 2-0 success.

A Ben Seymour-Shove collector’s item put Saints ahead midway through the second half. The little wideman made an instant impact when rising to head home a Jordan Jarrold cross with his first touch barely 20 seconds after being introduced as a substitute.

Josh Dawkin sealed the points with 10 minutes to go when benefitting from a fumble from home goalkeeper Bradley Catlow.

“The fact we could go to Redditch and play some good stuff just highlights how difficult it is to perform on our horrendous pitch,” said Marheineke. “I was impressed with what I saw in the second half especially.

“I have to admit I was a bit frustrated with our first-half performance, but we were a different team in the second period.

“We got on the front foot, we were aggressive, we played with more purpose and we got the goals to win the game.

“Unfortunately at home we can’t play in the same way as we have to try to win ugly due to the state of the pitch.

“It’s not always entertaining for our fans, but we have to play the cards we’ve been dealt and we have to make the best of the situation by picking up points.”

Saints now sit 14th in the Premier Division with four games to go.

* St Ives have confirmed tenants Cambridge City will continue to ground-share at ProEdge Westwood Road next season.