Chessington & Hook United: Our game against Forest Hill Park has been postponed by the League because they cannot get Kent officials to officiate a game in Surrey

Two Southern Counties East Football League First Division games were postponed last night due to a shortage of match officials travelling to games.

Chessington & Hook United’s home game against Forest Hill Park and Tooting Bec’s clash against FC Elmstead have both called off.

Tooting Bec's game against FC Elmstead has been swiftly re-arranged for Tuesday 9 November 2021.

Chessington & Hook United said in a statement: “We have just been informed that our game against Forest Hill Park has been postponed by the League because they cannot get Kent officials to officiate a game in Surrey.

“All the time, effort and cost it takes to get a game on has been totally wasted! Shoddy!”

A Tooting Bec statement added: “What do The FA think about this?  Two games called off (on Friday night) and it happens to be ours and Chessington & Hook United’s.

“Not only is the travel an issue for the clubs, it’s clearly an issue for the officials also.

“Three of the last four Saturday’s, with no league game now.

“Apologies to those planning to come to watch, those who have spent time on the programme, costs printing it and everything that goes into hosting a game.

“Apologies to FC Elmstead who will now have to travel to us midweek.  Apologies to our players who have cancelled plans to play.”

Chessington & Hook United are bottom of the table with nine points from 15 games, while Tooting Bec – who hire Tooting & Mitcham United’s Imperial Fields ground – are faring much better in their first campaign in the division are in second-place with 30 points from 14 games, level on points with leaders Stansfeld.

Both clubs haven’t played in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division before this season, as they would have fallen into the catchment area of the Combined Counties League.