Right call insists ref Oliver
SHELDAN KEAY
REFEREE Oliver Langford insists the right call was made after explaining his decision to abandon the match between Accrington Stanley and Sunderland on Saturday.
With 73 minutes played and the score tied at 1-1, Langford called off the game due to the heavy rain that continued to fall in the area.
There was a record crowd of 5257 at the Wham Stadium for the match, but Langford says it was the correct choice to call time on the match due to the safety of the players.
“It always a tough decision when you have to abandon the game. I saw the pitch at 10.30am on Saturday morning in its best state and in the end I have seen the pitch at its worse,” he said.
“Both managers were in agreement and it was right decision to call time when I did.
“It’s unfortunate but everyone was in total agreement and player safety was paramount.
“It was touch and go at the start but conditions were okay. The rain started at 12:30pm but at 3pm the conditions were OK and stayed that way in the first half.
“Then the heavens opened and I have never seen rain like that. It was coming down in sheets. With the score at 1-1, it was a sensible decision to make.
“I don’t want anyone getting injured and the way they were sliding around at the end and the amount of water coming up, player safety was paramount regardless of the score.”