BILLERICAY Town owner Grant Gordon admits the way the harsh winter has decimated their home fixtures has been “crippling” for the club.

Town have played just once at home on a Saturday since December 8 as snow and rain have consistently written off the New Lodge pitch.

The club launched a campaign this week to try and get 1,000 through the turnstiles as they host top-of-the-table Welling United today, and Gordon admits that would be a sight for his sore eyes.

Gordon said: “It’s been very hard and financially it’s crippling to come up with the wages and all the other bills when you are not getting any revenue.

“I think the supporters understand we need a big crowd on Saturday. I know we are sitting second-from-bottom but we have games in hand and we have plenty to play for still. It will be an exciting end to the season for us, that’s for sure.”

Town’s defensive woes have not been helped with news that central defender Rob Swaine begins a five-match ban tomorrow after his red card in the 5-0 defeat at Havant on Tuesday. He was already set for a two-game suspension for yellow cards accrued.

Omar Beccles is likely to be moved back from his holding midfield role into central defence to fill in for Swaine.

Gordon says he’s been left “scratching” his head at their poor defensive record this season, and feels it is not because of an inability to deal with balls into the box, but a failure to cope with better approach play at Conference South level and balls in behind their centre-backs.

Town go into the weekend three points adrift of safety and up against a Welling side three points clear at the top of the division.

But Gordon says they won’t go into the game with an inferiority complex.

He said: “We fancy ourselves against anybody at home. So – weather permitting again – Saturday is a game we are looking forward to, to help us get back on track.

“Welling are a good side, we think they are the best side in the league. But we’ve probably got the best squad we’ve had since Craig (Edwards, the manager) came in, and on our day we can match anybody.”