East Cowes Vics manager Alex Smith was angered and baffled by the last-minute postponement of his side’s game against Andover New Street on Tuesday evening.
The club were only informed that the game would not be played on arrival at Foxcotte Park at 19:00 after a long ferry and road trip to North Hampshire.
Alex Smith said:
“The fixture was called off as we arrived at the ground tonight. It was a completely ridiculous scenario.
“The most predictable and obvious outcome that was completely out of our hands. The forecast was certain and obvious, with zero doubt that the pitch would be waterlogged.
“Easily could have had a local referee call the game off at 16:00 exactly like we would do for clubs travelling to the Island.
“Players finished work early and gave up the time, as well as the huge expense of taking 20 people on the ferry and to Andover, which we’ll have to do all over again.
“Leaving home at 15:15 to get home at 21:45 for absolutely nothing is just a really poor show.”
Article continues below this advertisement
County Town club Newport were left in exactly the same situation, having their game against Fleetlands postponed at 18:30 while the players were travelling to the ground.
Things were little better on the Isle of Wight, with Cowes Sports’ Division 1 game at Westwood Park against Sandown & Lake having to be abandoned at half time with the home side leading 2-0.
Tonight (Wednesday) – weather permitting – Cowes Sports take on West Wight at Beatrice Avenue in the semi-final of the Gold Cup. Kick-off is at 19:30.
1 Isle of Wight Division 1 fixture scheduled for tonight – Brading Town v Pan Community – has already fallen victim to the weather.
UPDATE: The Gold Cup semi-final between Cowes Sports and West Wight has been postponed.
Tonight’s Gold Cup Semi-Final is postponed due to a waterlogged pitch
Football waste of time anyway, get over it.