ONLY the most optimistic of supporters would have expected Worcester City’s match against Fisher Athletic to survive the monsoon conditions which lashed the county at the weekend.
Saturday’s Blue Square South fixture had originally been cleared to go ahead following a pitch inspection at around 1.30pm.
However, 60 minutes of continuous heavy rain left standing water on the St George’s Lane surface and referee Ron Ganfield had no choice but to abandon the game.
Few spectators had bothered to brave the elements, evidently resigned to the inevitable, and those that did had to wade through puddles on the forecourt and in the turnstiles.
Fisher were no doubt happier with the decision than City, given their recent exodus of players, and will now have to journey back up the M40 on a Monday night later in the season.
Worcester manager Richard Dryden, who had recalled midfielder Dave Bampton to the side, said his players were more than ready to tackle the conditions but admitted the referee made the right decision.
He said: “You can’t do anything about it. I got here just before 1pm and it was fine, it was raining but there was nothing on the pitch at all.
“We came out at 2.15pm to get the warm-up started and it was ridiculous. There was so much surface water on there the referee had no option.
“We were ready for it. Training was good on Thurs-day. I think we were more enthusiastic than the opposition to start the game and I think you could see their reaction when it was off, they were doing cartwheels.
“I think it’s hard for teams like Fisher when they lose players to get them in but they’re in London and it’s probably easier to get players in but how easy it is to get them in on short notice I don’t know. We were looking forward to the game.”
Injuries to Danny McDonnell and Matt Dodd, as well as Craig Wilding due to start the first of a three-game ban, had seen Dryden shuffle his pack.
Goalkeeper Dave Clarke was set to make his debut following his move from Gresley Rovers, Mark Owen was named up front alongside Marco Adaggio and Bampton would have made his first appearance since hobbling off on the opening day of the season at Bognor Regis.
Jordan Fitzpatrick was dropped to the bench following back-to-back starts in midfield against Bromley and Basingstoke.
Boss Dryden added: “We have got one or two injuries but the lads who are coming in are good lads.
“The keeper’s good, Mark Owen has come in for Craig Wilding and Dave Bampton has come in for Jordan Fitzpatrick who is probably the unluckiest player at the club at the moment because Bamps has come in.”
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