Call-off was correct call, insists Ross

JACK Ross says the referee made the right call by abandoning Sunderland’s game at Accrington Stanley - insisting heavy rain risked turning the match into a ‘farce.

Driving rain had put the game in doubt even before kick-off but the weather eased just in time to get the game under way.

However, with the scores level at 1-1 midway through the second half, the heavy rain returned and referee Oliver Langford abandoned the game in the 73rd minute on safety grounds.

The sides must now return to the Crown Ground to replay the fixture - but no date has yet been set.

Ross said: “When the game is level it makes it an easier decision, not just for the match official but for everyone.

“I had my concerns about the game starting and the conditions have worsened to the extent you can see - you cannot play on that and there does become an element of farce about it, so I have no issues with the decision.

“Because of how the pitch was prior to kick-off, you knew any sustained heavy rain was going to sit on top of it - particularly on this stand side.”

Chris Maguire had given Sunderland the lead just after the hour before substitute Connor Hall levelled 20 minutes from time.

However, the pitch had become unplayable in some areas, Aiden McGeady and Maguire among those who struggled.

Ross added: “We were not begging for it to be called off because we were well in the game but you could see.

“I think Aiden had one in the corner where he said the pitch tackled him because suddenly the ball was 10 yards behind him.

“Even Chris’ chance, in different conditions I think he probably scores because the ball reaches him sooner.”

Langford had checked on the conditions three times before allowing the game to start, Ross adding: “What I would say to Accrington’s credit is the pitch was actually good and in the main it played OK in the conditions.

“It was just this stand side which was my concern during the warm-up because I thought it was not ideal and the players stayed off it which was good.

“I thought the match official did as much as he could in difficult circumstances because it was not easy for him.”

Defender Adam Matthews went off injured inside the opening 20 minutes but Ross said the horrible conditions were not to blame for his “impact injury.”