Hard lines for teams as pitch scuppers match

A FOOTBALL team had its first home game of the season called off – after an admin blunder meant there were no markings on the pitch.

Cwm Rhondda FC turned up for their game against Penygraig United to find no touchlines, goal lines, halfway line or penalty boxes had been painted.

It’s the second marking blunder to hit the team in the past year.

Last October players were left bemused when a match was called off because the pitch had been double marked.

Back then, they had arrived to play a home match against AFC Wattstown at Melyn Yr Hom, Ystrad, but were told by an official league referee the game was being called off due to the double markings.

The local council said last weekend’s problem was down to an “administrative error”.

Club secretary James McGrath said some players had taken time off work or turned down overtime to be able to play, while they lost money spent on food for after the game.

James, 37, said: “The boys went down there. Kick-off was at 2pm but the boys usually turn up at about 1pm with the referee.

“He examined the pitch and had to call it off because it wasn’t marked.

“The boys were really disappointed. The council have said sorry and admitted making a mistake but it’s not really acceptable.”

He added: “For some of the boys, they take time off work or turn down overtime to play. We are a local football team and can’t go to another council.

“We spent money on food and it’s a loss for the club. Everyone makes mistakes – but when you make the mistake twice, it becomes incompetent.

“We have another home game on Saturday so we are hoping it will be done by then.”

Luckily, Saturday’s fixture was eventually able to be played – at their opponents’ pitch.

James explained they managed to play the game at Penygraig but said it only happened “by chance”.

“The other team weren’t using the pitch so we were able to play there,” he added.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said the incident occurred due to an administrative error, and said officials had since apologised to both teams involved.

A spokesman said: “The council accepts that failing to mark the pitch was a result of an administrative error – which did not record this particular fixture, and therefore the pitch booking, for the weekend.

“The league secretary and fixture secretary are sent a list of all pitch bookings by the council, seven days in advance of each weekend of fixtures.

“Unfortunately, the omission of this particular fixture was picked up by neither the league nor the council.

“The council has apologised to the teams involved, whose game was called off.”