WIVENHOE Town manager Gary Monti does not expect the current non-league season to be completed.

Matches have been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic and no games will be played during the rest of March, at least.

Leagues including the BetVictor Isthmian League, Thurlow Nunn League and Essex and Suffolk Border League have pencilled in a return date of Saturday, April 4.

However, due to the severity of the rapidly-growing dilemma, it now seems unlikely any fixtures will be completed in the coming weeks and possibly months.

Monti says the length of the enforced lay-off is “anybody’s guess” but does not expect his team to play soon.

“I can’t see the season being completed but hope I’m wrong,” said the Wivenhoe boss, whose side were not due to play last Saturday anyway.

“Personally, I think it’s the right decision but how long this goes on is anybody’s guess.

“I feel sorry for all the teams going for titles, promotion and cups.

“We’re coming to the business-end of the season and teams have been stopped in their stride at every level of football.

“Whatever final decision is made, I don’t think it will keep everyone happy but we have to remember, at the end of the day, that lives are more important than any sport.

“While it’s very disappointing for games to be postponed, we have to listen to the experts and respect their decisions.

“The health of everybody involved has got to be paramount at the moment.

“Football will be back as soon as possible and we just have to accept that and look after ourselves and people close to us at the moment.

“There are so many so-called experts on social media.

“Sometimes people believe everything they read and that causes problems.”

Wivenhoe play in Thurlow Nunn League first division south and had been looking forward to a Friday night derby against Halstead Town, under the Blackstone Stadium floodlights. However, that game is off - as are the Dragons’ other fixtures against Little Oakley and Benfleet.