Johnson slams 'ridiculous' fixture list

And the manager of the Caburn outfit hinted that he could play a drastically weakend side against Crowborough Athletic on Tuesday '“ a game that comes just 48 hours ahead of a mouth-watering cup semi-final clash with Ryman League side Horsham.

The Blues must cram in the eight fixtures in 17 days, but with Ringmer out of contention for the County League championship, Johnson is not hiding the fact that the Brighton Charity Cup match-up with Horsham is now his number one priority this season.

He said, "We've got four games next week and four games the following week. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Fortunately we have got a fairly big squad, but it shouldn't be like this."

Asked if he will consider resting regular first team players for the match against Crowborough, he said, " I don't know I might have to. Who knows, I might have to get my boots back on! But seriously, we can get into a final, and I have got a team in mind (for the Horsham match).

"I've been thinking about it all day '“ I've been thinking about Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday '“ and the one we are targeting is the semi-final. It will be a strong side (against Horsham)."

Looking ahead to his much-fancied Ryman League opponents, Johnson said, "If they put their reserve team out fair enough. But their reserves could play in the county league so whatever team they put out it will be tough. If they put their first 11 out they will be a decent side.

"But most of our players have played in the ryman league, And although I haven't seen them this season I do know them because of my time in the Ryman League.

"We know we have got a game on our hands but we have got nothing to lose. If they underestimate us there might be a shock. I have got a strong squad. If I threw 18 different pieces of paper in their air with each first team player's name on it I could play every one of them.

However, despite his focus on Thursday's cup tie, Johnson insisted he was still intent on finishing as high as possible in the league.

"It has and it hasn't petered out in the league this season. We need to get in that top six, then it will have turned out to be a decent season.

Johnson still has four of his eight-game touchline suspension to run.

He joked, "At least playing four games in a week gets the ban over with quicker!"