NO prizes for guessing what Ivybridge Town boss Brian Howard would like for Christmas – dry weather – after suffering another defeat to the weather at the weekend.

An end to the relentless recent rain would bring much-needed seasonal cheer to Howard given that Town are expecting a big crowd for their derby showdown with Dartmouth at 11am at Erme Valley on Boxing Day. Town suffered another postponement on Saturday when their match at St Austell was rained off like all the fixtures in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division.

'That shows it's not just our pitch that's affected,' said Howard, who said he would be busy working on the Erme Valley surface in a bid to try and ensure the Dartmouth game goes ahead.

'We should have a good crowd there, but it will be a tough game for us as they (Dartmouth) are vastly improved this year.'

Howard also hopes to provide Town supporters with two Christmas presents in the form of a a pair of new recruits.

He revealed this week he's made approaches for an experienced forward and centre-back, who currently ply their trade at unnamed rival clubs in the Premier Division.

'I'm confident of getting the forward at least,' he said. 'The two players are the sort of experienced players we've been looking for to complement our younger players.'

University students Gary Simmons and Joe Wheedon will miss the match next Tuesday, while long-term injury absentee Jamie Middleton is again on the sidelines.