A Disappointing Turn of Events for Bath City FC and Ebbsfleet United
It was a disappointing day for Bath City FC, Ebbsfleet United, and their supporters as the highly anticipated match between the two teams had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. On Friday, we were hopeful that the game would go ahead, but a heavier frost than expected overnight changed the situation drastically.
The Pitch Assessment and Initial Decision
At 9:00 am, the pitch was assessed, revealing that the overnight frost had caused the field to freeze in certain areas. With the forecast indicating a high risk of further freezing throughout the day, and considering the limited daylight hours, it was clear that the match would likely be postponed. Despite this, we decided to bring in a local referee for an inspection, hoping to make an informed decision.
Local Referee's Decision
At 10:30 am, the local referee arrived and confirmed that the pitch was indeed frozen. However, he chose to wait for the match referee's arrival, believing that the game still had a chance to proceed. This decision was made to ensure fairness and give the match every opportunity to take place.
The Final Decision
At 1:15 pm, the match referee arrived and made the difficult call to postpone the game. Despite our initial doubts, we understand the challenges of making such decisions. Balancing the need to play the game and providing adequate notice to supporters is never easy.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the postponement. Both clubs are in full agreement that the decision to postpone the match was made with player welfare in mind. We will provide details of the rearranged fixture as soon as possible.
Despite the disappointment, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our players and supporters. We will work towards rescheduling the match and look forward to welcoming Ebbsfleet United to the Recreation Ground in the future.
