Albion Women’s Sussex Challenge Cup tie against Eastbourne Town had to be abandoned after 40 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch at Woodside Road.The Seagulls have been left frustrated by two postponements in consecutive weeks, with last week’s league match against Tottenham also falling victim to the weather.
John Donoghue’s side raced into a 6-0 lead before referee Steve Hughes called time on proceedings.
Tammy Waine, Lily Agg, Kirsty Barton, Charlie Carter, Charlotte Young and Kim Stenning were all on the score-sheet, but the torrential rainfall ensured Albion’s efforts were ultimately in vain.
Albion’s coaching staff and the match officials frantically tried to remove some of the excess water as the players were sent back to the dressing rooms, but it only delayed the inevitable decision.
Referee Hughes told seagulls.co.uk, “After that downpour mid-way through the first half, we were left with no option really, especially with the amount of rainfall coming down at that time and the surface water.
“We tried to get the game back on and fought the pitch as much as we could, but it was unsafe to carry on and unfair for the standard of football that was played out there. It would have just become a farce, so we had to call off the game.”
Albion head coach Donoghue was left frustrated after such a commanding first-half display, as the attention now turns to finding a suitable date for the match to be replayed.
He added, “You prepare so much in terms of bringing some of the younger players in, adjusting the formation slightly and letting the players play in slightly different positions.
“It was going so well, we score a few goals then it absolutely hammers down. I didn’t want a replay; and if it was going to stop raining and we could do our best to try and get rid of some of the surface water, then it would’ve been good to get it back on.
“But if it’s dangerous, then you don’t want to get your players injured.”
Up next for Donoghue’s squad is a trip to Tottenham in the Premier League Cup, in what might be their first match since the 6-0 win at Lewes on 6th October.**
“It’s not ideal going into a game without players playing 90 minutes for a couple of weeks, but you can only do what you can do.”
Fright Night at the Amex. Buy tickets to watch Albion v Watford on Monday 28th October. Under-16s tickets from just £1 when purchased with a full-paying adult or over-65s ticket. Click here for full details.
Original article
John Donoghue’s side raced into a 6-0 lead before referee Steve Hughes called time on proceedings.
Tammy Waine, Lily Agg, Kirsty Barton, Charlie Carter, Charlotte Young and Kim Stenning were all on the score-sheet, but the torrential rainfall ensured Albion’s efforts were ultimately in vain.
Albion’s coaching staff and the match officials frantically tried to remove some of the excess water as the players were sent back to the dressing rooms, but it only delayed the inevitable decision.
Referee Hughes told seagulls.co.uk, “After that downpour mid-way through the first half, we were left with no option really, especially with the amount of rainfall coming down at that time and the surface water.
“We tried to get the game back on and fought the pitch as much as we could, but it was unsafe to carry on and unfair for the standard of football that was played out there. It would have just become a farce, so we had to call off the game.”
Albion head coach Donoghue was left frustrated after such a commanding first-half display, as the attention now turns to finding a suitable date for the match to be replayed.
He added, “You prepare so much in terms of bringing some of the younger players in, adjusting the formation slightly and letting the players play in slightly different positions.
“It was going so well, we score a few goals then it absolutely hammers down. I didn’t want a replay; and if it was going to stop raining and we could do our best to try and get rid of some of the surface water, then it would’ve been good to get it back on.
“But if it’s dangerous, then you don’t want to get your players injured.”
Up next for Donoghue’s squad is a trip to Tottenham in the Premier League Cup, in what might be their first match since the 6-0 win at Lewes on 6th October.**
“It’s not ideal going into a game without players playing 90 minutes for a couple of weeks, but you can only do what you can do.”
Fright Night at the Amex. Buy tickets to watch Albion v Watford on Monday 28th October. Under-16s tickets from just £1 when purchased with a full-paying adult or over-65s ticket. Click here for full details.
Original article