Referee Joyce explains Exeter postponement
IT IS not often that a match official will step forward and explain a controversial decision he has made, but that is exactly what Ross Joyce did after postponing Exeter City’s League Two clash at Barrow on Tuesday night less than an hour before kick-off.
The Grecians had made the 335mile journey to the Cumbrian town on the morning of the match, which had always been in danger due to the freezing temperatures currently sweeping the UK.
A local official held two early inspections and then Joyce held one himself at 4pm.
At all times, the pitch was playable but, as the temperatures dipped further, he decided to bring the kick-off time forward by half an hour.
Unfortunately, frost got into the pitch making it hard, dangerous and unplayable.
City were understandably frustrated, having travelled all that way, but accepted there was no other option, while fans of both Barrow and the Grecians questioned why the game was postponed so late in the day. To his great credit, though, Joyce gave his reasons to the official Barrow website.
“It’s a really tough one,” he said. “We had the initial inspection at 8am and it was quite hopeful with the work going on and the heaters etc that the game would be OK and when we looked at it again at midday, it looked a lot more playable.
“I arrived at 3.50pm and if we had kicked off at that time, the pitch was playable in terms of that, but we did have a little concern with the temperatures due to come after that as it was due to drop to zero and minus one.
“I worked with both clubs, spoke to them both, and there was good communication and we brought the kick-off forward to 6.30pm to give the game every opportunity but, unfortunately, in the last 30-40 minutes, the pitch became really crispy because of the temperatures and the far touchline has become dangerous.
“We’ve had a chat and involved both clubs, both managers and we’ve come to the agreement that for the players safety, the game won’t take place this evening.
“It is a difficult decision and I understand the frustrations of why it was left so late, but I think we did the right thing to give the game every opportunity, especially with Exeter’s travel, they came up early this morning.
“Both clubs were consulted and in fairness, both clubs agreed with the decision to postpone the game and from Exeter’s perspective – and my own – the guys at Barrow have worked really hard throughout the day to get the game on. It is frustrating, but the weather has beaten us.”
It is the second time Exeter’s trip to Barrow has been postponed this season, the first was on New Year’s Day when the pitch was also frozen, while games at Stevenage, Harrogate and Newport County have also been postponed meaning City have had their fair share of wasted journeys this season.
The Grecians stayed at a hotel near Lancaster after leaving Holker Street with manager Matt Taylor saying he was going to treat the players to some food and a few beers with Julian Tagg footing the bill!
“I’m sure Taggy won’t be happy with the food bill but I’ve promised the players some Chinese, Nando’s, or Indian and a couple of beers, just to get them to relax,” he said.
“It has been a full slog this season and day’s like today don’t help, so we’ll do maybe a bit of team bonding when we get to the hotel and a little bit of training Wednesday and then turn the focus to Oldham on Saturday.”
The next available date for when the match could be re-arranged for is not until March 30, as the two midweeks before then that City have free, the Bluebirds already have rearranged fixtures scheduled.
But with that being the week before Easter and a round of Good Friday fixtures, it may be April 13 when it is re-arranged to.
The Grecians will be facing another long trip to Oldham Athletic on Saturday, although temperatures are predicted to be below zero for much of the time between now and Saturday, so that game is also looking doubtful.
EXETER Chiefs star winger Jack Nowell is two or three weeks away from returning to playing action after returning to training, director of rugby Rob Baxter has revealed.
Nowell, 27, who has 34 caps for England and two for the British and Irish Lions, has not featured yet this season after undergoing an operation on his toe following Exeter’s Gallagher Premiership final win over Wasps back in October.
However Baxter revealed his star man is now back in training, and all being well will soon be in contention to be a part of Chiefs’ matchday squad.
The boost comes following Welsh international winger Alex Cuthbert’s successful return from a calf injury at the weekend, scoring an impressive solo try in the 15-9 victory away at Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.
Discussing Nowell, Baxter said: “He is not far off. He was training yesterday, not fully but he was doing some team training.
“He is going to be dripped into some more team training over the period of a week or so and he just needs to make sure he gets to a loading level which will avoid him injuring not so much his toe, because that is good now, but build him up slowly so we don’t get a torn hamstring or torn calf because he is suddenly training at a speed and level which he has not been used to for a few months.
“We have got to be careful and take it day by day with slow increments but it is obviously very positive.”
A two to three week return date puts Nowell in contention to be back for either the trip to Sale Sharks in Round 11 or away game at Bath in Round 12, although Baxter was clear the time frame he provided was just a rough guide.
Intriguingly, Baxter was quick to point out Nowell isn’t just an option on the wing when he is
back fit, perhaps hinting he could give him a run at outside centre with Henry Slade away with England during the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
He said: “It gives us a lot of options out wide and Jack has also played some midfield stuff for us.
“It just starts to thicken our options across the backline, because Nowellsy can pretty much play across the backline outside of 10 and scrum half, although I am sure he would give it a go if we asked him.”
As for the health of the Exeter squad heading into Saturday’s home game against London Irish. Baxter said: “We are all good, as usual we have picked up some bumps and bruises after a couple of tough weeks but it is looking pretty good and we have come through it pretty well.
“We are comfortable with where we are, we are starting to get some of our walking wounded back on the training field, although I don’t think any of them are going to be available this weekend, but we are moving through time so injuries are healing.
“We have pretty much got everyone who was available last week fit again so we are looking okay.”
Chiefs have been boosted in the frontrow by the return of first choice tight head prop Harry Williams, who has been replaced in Eddie Jones’ England squad for the Six Nations by Bristol Bears’ Kyle Sinckler, who was previously banned for swearing at referee Karl Dickson in Bristol’s 20-7 win over the Chiefs in January.
Baxter said: “It is great for us but a little bit of a shame for Harry. The great thing is after he was told he was leaving the England camp he called me straight up, and he doesn’t whinge or moan, the first words he said to me was ‘Can you please pick me this weekend?’ which is a nice scenario to be in. He is a great character to have back in the team.”
RYAN Lowe admitted Plymouth Argyle’s 1-0 League One win away to Accrington Stanley was a hard-earned one.
In a game which was played in freezing temperatures and with light snow falling at times, the determined Pilgrims had to dig deep to come out on top.
It took an opportunist 51st minute goal from striker Niall Ennis and a superb man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper Mike Cooper to see Argyle secure maximum points.
Lowe was pleased with the character shown his side, who had been hugely disappointed after conceding two late goals in their 2-2 draw at Portsmouth on Saturday.
Argyle had drawn by the same scoreline when they played Accrington in a free-flowing game of football at Home Park on January 30.
The rematch in east Lancashire was a very different affair, with Stanley adopting a much more direct approach.
Argyle’s win at the Wham Stadium extended their unbeaten league run at the start of 2021 to seven games.
Lowe told Plymouth Live: “It was hard-earned. We have come up against a tough team in Accrington.
“It was a little bit different, I must say, than what it was the last time we played them. There was more football then.
“This time there were a lot of long balls getting forced back to front.
“They (Accrington) had some good chances, let’s make no mistake about it. They are a good team and they had some opportunities.
“But I thought our game plan and everything we did was executed down to a tee.
“We had to withstand a bit of pressure, as most teams always do, and Mike has been called upon to make a fine good saves.
“After the disappointment of Saturday, to kick on again and bounce back from that, and for the lads to get a fantastic three points away at Accrington, I’m pleased.”
Argyle’s defeat of Accrington went a long way towards making amends for letting victory slip from their grasp against Portsmouth.
Lowe said: “You can’t feel sorry for yourselves, especially when the games come thick and fast.
“We have got a good bunch of lads there and they are all learning in the right ways. The character was different class.
“I was buzzing there towards the end. I think it was in the 82nd minute and Jerome (Opoku) was shouting ‘Come on boys, we’re nearly there’.
“I’m thinking ‘Good, that’s what we want’. Yes, it was disappointing for them on Saturday but I was proud of every single one of them, to a man, tonight.
“Let’s have it right, they (Accrington) had a few chances but that’s what my ‘keeper is in there for.
“I have got a fantastic ‘keeper who I can rely on and he has made some good saves. And Niall has chased down a lost cause and has got his just rewards.”
Cooper made a number of excellent stops, both in the first half and the second to keep out Accrington.
He really came to the fore in stoppage time at the end of the match, first clawing away a header from midfielder Adam Phillips.
Then, in the closing stages, he made a terrific diving save from striker Dion Charles’ powerful firsttime shot.
“That one at the end was just for the cameras wasn’t it? They are easy,” laughed Lowe.
“That’s what we pay for Mike for, to keep the ball out of the net, but credit where credit is due he has done fantastic.”
Accrington deserve some credit for getting the game on with the area hit by freezing temperatures.
The decision to bring kick-off forward certainly helped and had it been played at 7pm, then it was highly likely it would not have finished.
“It was a good job it was a half-five kick-off because I think that pitch is frozen now.
“So fair play to Accrington and to us as well for agreeing to play then. I know they were putting covers on yesterday (Monday).
“If it had been a half-seven kick-off it’s not getting played. It was good to get it done.
“We would have played at half-two if we could of. It’s a good three points and we are back down the road, and we go again.”
The wisdom of the early kick-off at the Wham Stadium was proved by a very late postponement of nearby Blackpool’s home game against Burton Albion.
Referee Chris Sarginson made the decision just before it was about to start at 7pm because the Bloomfield Road pitch had become frozen.
Argyle stayed 12th in the league table after beating Accrington but are only five points outside the playoff places.
Their next match is against 13thplaced Fleetwood Town at Home Park on Saturday, with the visitors buoyed by a come-from-behind 3-1 home win against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night.