NO SINGING IN THE RAIN FOR WATSON
YORK City boss Steve Watson argued that his team’s trip to FC United of Manchester should have been postponed hours earlier. Referee Amy Fearn called the Broadhurst Park contest off an hour before kick off after the “unsafe” pitch had been declared fit to play following two earlier pitch inspections at 10.15am and 1pm. Games at nearby National League North outfits Altrincham and Guiseley, meanwhile, had been postponed before 10am, as had fixtures at FC United’s League Two neighbours Bury and Oldham.
Watson joked that the only consolation might be that York fans who had travelled across the M62 in treacherous conditions might receive half-priced pies from the home kiosk but, while the visiting supporters were actually treated to complimentary burgers, the former Everton and Newcastle defender still felt sympathy for the club’s loyal travelling army and challenged the late call.
He said: “It was the worst-case scenario to get everybody here and have the fans standing out in the rain waiting to hear if it was on. Everyone had travelled and prepared for the game only for it to be called off an hour before kick-off.
“It’s not really a problem schedule wise for us, because we have no other midweek games this season, but I feel for the supporters. I don’t think it was right to take it up until an hour before the game when everybody had got here. Probably the best time to call it off would have been at 10.30am.”
Watson and home boss Neil Reynolds both felt the pitch was playable despite Fearn’s 2pm decision with relegation-threatened United bidding to equal their longest unbeaten run of the season of five matches and the Minstermen looking to record a fourth straight away win.
Offering his view on the conditions, Watson reasoned: “Both managers wanted the game to be played and, personally, I didn’t think it was that bad.
“I’ve played in conditions that have been a lot worse, but it boils down to opinions and the only one that matters is the referee’s. She deemed it unsafe, but there is danger in any game with the ball stopping and somebody getting hurt – that’s the sport.
“I know the rain was relentless and non-stop for three hours, but once the players are on the pitch the stud marks can help drain the water as well.”