Frustrating call-off at stormy Gayfield

Arbroath and Stranraer will meet again tomorrow evening after their clash at Gayfield on Saturday was abandoned after 11 minutes.

The storm-force wind which blasted from one end of the pitch to the other made serious football impossible and left referee Craig Napier with no option other than to abandon the game.

The home side, playing into the teeth of the gale, struggled to get out of their own half while the visitors also found it near impossible to maintain any control of the ball.

The situation became farcical when Lichties keeper Darren Jamieson watched his kick out spin back in the wind and go behind for a corner.

At that stage Napier stopped the game, and after consulting both managers, decided to call a halt.

The Lichties had been hoping for a victory to stretch their League One lead over Raith Rovers, who they meet at Stark’s Park next Saturday, to 15 points, but it wasn’t to be.

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell said: “It’s disappointing as we hoped to build on our position, but it’s the right decision. Apart from anything else you have to consider player safety and both managers were in agreement over it.”

Stranraer boss Stevie Farrell said: “Neither Dick nor I would want to win a game under these circumstances so it was the right and sensible decision. It is, however, disappointing for the fans who have travelled so far.”