Sutton United boss Paul Doswell reckons the tasty festive fixtures will help his men put a stop-start December behind them.

Goals from Andy Forbes and Bradley Woods-Garness saw United down neighbours Carshalton Athletic 2-0 in front of 1,052 fans at Colston Avenue on Monday.

Doswell’s men hadn’t played a game since a 4-0 defeat to Eastleigh on December 14, meaning the recent bad weather has seen them turn out just three times in 33 days since November 27.

But the Gander Green Lane chief reckons derby fixtures against the Robins and the New Year’s day clash with Tooting & Mitcham United makes time spent kicking your heels easier to overcome.

“If you are not playing you are concerned with how the team will perform,” he said.

“The one thing you look for in this league is momentum and you get that by playing games. If you are not playing it is difficult to get into your rhythm.

“All of us like to walk out in front of 1,100 people in the ground. It is what we all aspire to and it is going to be another big crowd on New Year’s day.

“That is what it is all about.”

Only two other games beat the weather at the weekend allowing United to extend their advantage at the top of the Ryman Premier League table to six points.

And the manager believes they will need to put in another hard-working display to nullify the threat of Mark Beard’s Terrors, who signed winger Sam Butler and striker Carl Wilson-Denis before Christmas.

“We battled extremely hard on Monday. What we have got is real ability, couple with hard work. It wasn’t about individuals,” he added.

“We’ve got a team that is prepared to put its foot in and when the chances come we’ve got five or six people who can finish them off.

“Mark has made some good signings over the last week or two. They are a good team on their day and if we’re not on our game they are going to give us problems.”

Sutton’s next three games: Jan 1 Tooting & Mitcham (h), 3 Molesey (Surrey Senior Cup, a), 8 Horsham (a).