Following the match referee's decision to abandon yesterday afternoon's FA Trophy second qualifying round tie against Merthyr Town at half time due to a waterlogged pitch, the Club would like to advise supporters that contact is currently awaited from the Welsh side before a date for the rearranged fixture can be announced.
Had yesterday's game ended in a draw and a replay been required, this would have taken place on Tuesday evening at Penydarren Park, as had already been agreed by the two clubs and confirmed with the FA. However, the revised arrangements now need to be discussed by all parties, although it is fair to say that the scheduled Robert Dyas League Cup third round tie against Sittingbourne on Tuesday, November 17, will very likely be postponed.
The Club is not yet in a position to advise on any possible refund of admission costs paid by those supporters who attended yesterday's match, as it needs to liaise with the FA on the matter when it opens again for business tomorrow morning. Having checked the FA Trophy rules, the Club has found no policy covering such situations, but an update on this subject will be provided as soon as possible.
In the meantime, anyone who did attend yesterday's match is advised to retain their admission ticket pending a further announcement, although at present, the Club can only state that its normal admission prices will apply when rearranged the match does take place.
Update at 4.45pm on November 15
Since publishing the above statement, the Club has received contact from Merthyr Town and is now in a position to confirm that the FA Trophy tie between the two sides will be played at the Pilot Field on Tuesday, November 17, with a 7.45pm kick off.
As mentioned earlier, normal admission prices will apply for the rearranged fixture, but the Club will still contact the FA tomorrow on the matter of refunding the cost of admission to yesterday's match, and a further announcement will be made in due course.
With the forecast as it is and feeling guilty about what I consider to be the ref's incorrect decision, I would concede the game to Merthyr. Might save us quite a lot of money.
Chris is right both clubs have to agree on the admission charges.
The referee may have given the game 5 minutes to see how it played but take it from me where I was trying to clear the water on the corner of the penalty area by the Elphinstone road end was under water and despite our efforts it wouldn't have got any better. Simon, John, Dan, Pat and Mark Cruttwell done extremely well with the work they had done prior to the game, it's just a shame it was all in vain.
So what this statement is saying we have to pay full admission price on tuesday knowing we didn't receive sll we paid for on Saturday I think that's very wrong and should be looked into as to me that doesn't sound or feel right that were expected to pay twice we deserve at least half our admission fee back but by sounds of this were getting sweet f a disgusting!!!!!
Personally, I think the ref got it right. Another 20 minutes rain and the ball wouldn't have got through the puddles. As regards admission fees, I wouldn't start moaning until the club has had a chance to liaise with the FA and Merthyr. There's a lot more goodwill at the club these days and I would imagine that the club will do all it can not to disadvantage supporters. It's a difficult one all round, but hopefully it'll be resolved today, we'll play better in the replayed game and we'll all be happy.
As the gates are split in the FA Trophy both clubs have to agree on any changes or refunds, just as likely Merthyr didnt want to reduce costs or give some money back as this will affect far fewer of their fans than ours. Nothing Hastings can do about it in that case unless the FA make a ruling today.
In my view, absolutely no blame attaches to the match officials for deciding as they did; or to to the club for the way they have handled maters before the game and subsequently. The pitch, as ever was in first class condition and I have no doubt that all practical effort was made to get the game on. The pitch drains well and is superbly maintained; but it is on the side of a hill. That means that when there is heavy rain water will seep down hill from the Ridge through the sub-soil so raising the water table below the playing surface. Once the water table gets to a critical point then there will be pools of surface water. If the rain persists then, it will start actually flowing down the tarmac slope onto the Elphinstone Road end of the pitch. Once it does that, then even if the rain stops, the pitch at that end will be waterlogged until the water has a chance to drain away.
Yes, I have sympathy for Merthyr and their fans - I'm sure if the situation were reversed we would feel aggrieved. Yes, in the past, we've all seen games played week in week out in far worse conditions; but things have changed and the ref's responsibility is to ensure the safety of players. There were more than enough slides slips and collisions in the first half to make abandonment the right decision. As for financial matters, the club are bound by FA rules. The club has shown in the past that it will do whatever it can to act fairly within those rules. I've no doubt that it will this time; but it is unfair to criticise the club until they have had a chance to speak to the FA, and Merthyr.
Come Tuesday, I hope we give Merthyr a good game and welcome whoever of their exceptional fans make the repeat visit. We know what to expect and need a better plan to combat it!
Nobody expects to pay more money to see the end of a game if it goes to extra time so why complain when you see as much of a game as is possible? We all knew what the weather was like Saturday morning and it was obvious that it would take a very tolerant ref to play the full 90 minutes.
For my part, I feel the ref was correct to abandon the match. Clearly the decision was made harder by the fact that one team was in a dominant position.....plus of course they hadn't just 'popped in' from South Wales !
As Geoff rightly says, games years ago carried on in far worse conditions but the emphasis on player safety is now much greater and once puddles form and the ball stops dead I believe most refs would consider conditions unfit. It would be interesting to get an official ruling this.
As far as tomorrow goes, I would have thought half price entrance fee would be appropriate. There must be a danger that a full price will keep many people away and therefore a 50% reduction won't make much difference to overall revenue at the gate anyway. Plus of course it would be fairer to fans.
Several factors that could keep people away tomorrow, the predicted weather again, England Vs France on TV ( quite a very meaningful match now of course ) and yes the cost of course and would be great to be reduced but obviously not the clubs sole decision and cant see Merthyr gaining any real advantage really from agreeing to reduce it ( less home support helps them a bit of course ) which is probably why it hasn't happened bar a FA Ruling today.
Expect we'll see a Ryman Cup sized attendance tomorrow of maybe 200 unfortunately instead of what it really should be of 400+.
Yes I agree with you Mick a 50% reduction would be appropriate as that would be £15 paid for an adult to see one and a half games.
Tomorrows weather doesn't look good though with heavy rain in the afternoon clearing in the evening to leave 60mph winds!
The biggest asset a football club has is the fans. most clubs in this situation would wear it and a pay what you want. the game was called of not the fans fault. but the fans suffer money wise thats not right? now wonder the crowds are dropping off ?
Well have just heard forecast gusts of 70 mph forecast and a spell of torrential rain Tues afternoon and evening, please common sense prevail, I know forecast isn't always right but time money and safety. For a game of non league football. Is it worth the risk and playing tomorrow?
I have to say, if it can be done, I'd do as Chris suggests and play on Wednesday. The forecast does look bad for Tuesday and they are pretty accurate these days. It really would be a shocker (not least financially) for all concerned if it had to be called off / abandoned again.
More generally, I know that the debate about which midweek day to play on can get tedious, but I'm surprised that these days so few clubs play their midweek games on a Wednesday. Perhaps the club might revisit that at the end of the season.
If the wind is going that strong on Tuesday night then yep being in a ground surrounded by trees isn't ideal, hopefully a decision can be made in the morning if forecast is looking correct before Merthyr fans have to leave. although even in Merthyr the weather isn't looking ideal to travel on Weds either!
This is proving to be one of those horrendous fixtures where there are no winners ( not literally in the football sense ) Fans from both sides & both clubs likely to be out of pocket ( not including the winners prize money to whoever finally gets it )
We've had to pay for their overnight accommodation last Fri and two lots of return travel from Wales ( Although that second part comes out before gates are shared although with a small crowd i expect there wasnt much left and will be worse on Tues i'm sure if game goes ahead ) and no doubt they'll incur significant costs as well.
Some of their fans i spoke to after the game have stayed rather than go back which must have cost them loads and even the ones who travel twice will be paying huge amounts in petrol etc.
I presume last time we did a 'pay what you want' it was a league game as we could set the rules pretty much by ourselves as gates were not split? ( with the leagues blessing of course )
I suppose you could argue they should not be playing in competition as they are welsh and they have there own league. But you wouldn't wish that trip on anyone with the likelihood the game will be off.
Met Office Warnings Issued For:
East Sussex
Yellow early warning of wind
From:
1500 on Tue 17 November
To:
2330 on Tue 17 November
Updated 6 hours ago
West to southwesterly gales and locally severe gales are likely to sweep eastwards across parts of Wales, southern, central and eastern England later on Tuesday. Gusts could reach 60-70 mph inland and possibly 80 mph along exposed coasts, particularly Wales and through the Bristol Channel.
Be aware of the risk of disruption to travel and that gusts of this strength could bring down trees and lead to some damage to weakened structures.
