ASCOT United manager Jamie Tompkins is hoping the Combined Counties League will complete their fixtures this season – even if it means playing in the summer, writes Dave Wright.

His table-topping side are nine points clear in the title race following their 2-1 win over second-placed Spelthorne Sports at the Racecourse Ground last Saturday.

But on the same day, the league announced they were suspending all fixtures for the foreseeable future.

"It is unfortunate we don't know what is going to happen about the rest of the season, said Tompkins.

"We now have to see what the league decides to do. They might consider deciding the (final) placings on a points-per-game ratio or previous results against other clubs, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

"I feel we have to conclude the season even if it means playing in May, June, or even July, a time when we are usually starting pre-season.

"I feel we have to finish the season somehow, whenever that will be."

The manager continued: "We will keep ourselves prepared, we will carry on training – all the boys want to do that. There may be a chance of playing a friendly or two as a lot of other clubs are in the same position to us.

"But whatever happens, I am confident we will finish first in this league as we are the best team."

Speaking after Saturday's game, Tompkins added: "This was a very important win for us.

"Since the turn of the year, we have been in great form, focussing more on performances than being concerned about points, league positions and other results.

"We just wanted to focus on being better in every game and performing.

"In the last few weeks, the whole squad have certainly performed very well and I am delighted with the way things are going.

"It was really pleasing to complete the double over Spelthorne as they are a really good side and have done well this year.

"A month ago we played them at their place and won despite going down to 10 men (due to a red card) and then finishing with nine (a player sin-binned) and we had to really dig in order to win the game.

"So over the course of the two games, we have been better than them, but we have had to defend incredibly well, which is a real strength of ours.

"We are very well organised and defend well when off the ball."

The Ascot manager was full of praise for his skipper Louis Bouwers, saying: "He has been absolutely brilliant. He is one of the best centre-halves at this level of football and deserves to be playing at a higher level.

"Alongside him, Mitchell Gutteridge has been excellent since he came back to the team. Our midfielders have also been great."

Tompkins said Ben Hodges, scorer of his side's vital second goal, has "become a different player in the last few weeks to what he used to be, and is now performing incredibly well."

Ascot's first postponed game was last night's (Tuesday) much-awaited home League Cup quarter-final clash with Jersey Bulls, who have amazingly won all of their 27 Division One games.

"It's disappointing as we were looking forward to playing them and testing ourselves," stated Tompkins.

"Having a 100 per cent record at this stage of the season is certainly something to shout about, but I wouldn't think they have played a team as good as us.

"We would have gone into the game confident and I am sure we have performed well on the night. We are looking to win the cup as well."