Kent clubs left out in the cold

Monday 06th December 2010

TUESDAY night’s football in the county is expected to be frozen off, according to some club secretaries today, writes Stephen McCartney.

Three of the nine scheduled games - at Dartford, Maidstone United and Tunbridge Wells - have already been frozen off, while all the other games are at threat due to the current cold snap.

Bromley can reclaim top spot in Blue Square Bet South if they claim at least a point against Chelmsford City at Hayes Lane.

The Essex side inflicted Bromley’s first defeat of the season with a 3-0 win at Hayes Lane in a FA Cup Third Qualifying Round on 12 October, ending the Lillywhites’ thirteen match unbeaten run from the start of the season.

But club secretary, Colin Russell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “It’s not looking good. We’ll be having an inspection during the day tomorrow, at a time to be confirmed.”

Dartford’s game against Tonbridge Angels in the First Round of the Kent Senior Cup, has already been postponed due to snow and a frozen pitch, and the game has been re-arranged for 25 January 2011.

In the other tie, Maidstone United against Ebbsfleet United is also off, the new date is 21 December, and The Stones have also cancelled plans to open a Christmas car park at Whatman Way because of the bad weather.

Kent League side Erith & Belvedere welcome Ryman Premier League strugglers Croydon Athletic in the Third Round of the London Senior Cup, but secretary Frank May, who has arranged an eleven o’clock pitch inspection warned, “the chances of playing are very slim.”

The only game that took place at the weekend was at Ramsgate and a hat-trick from Simon Pettit sealed a 3-1 win over Eastbourne Town.

Ramsgate are scheduled to travel to fourth-placed Bognor Regis Town and match secretary Edward Lucas told the fans’ forum on www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk, “Bognor are concerned that their pitch, which froze last night, will not be fit for the game.

“They are going to inspect tonight at 8:00pm and this will give them an idea of how it is thawing during the day, and if it stays thawed at 8pm.

“The weather forecast for Bognor tomorrow, either 1c or 0c all day and evening would suggest that whatever the pitch is like early morning will be the same that night.

“They are therefore inspecting in the morning as well.”

Folkestone Invicta welcome Horsham to Cheriton Road in the Ryman Premier League on Tuesday night, and with temperatures of between three and four degrees predicted for tomorrow, secretary Neil Pilcher said, “We are quite hopeful at the moment, but let’s see what tomorrow brings!”

Meanwhile, the Kent Premier League game between Tunbridge Wells and Erith Town has already been postponed, “due to a covering of snow on the pitch and access to and around the ground being too dangerous,” added secretary Phil Allcorn, on the club's website www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

Clubs are advised to contact us by mobile phone if their games fall victim to the weather - please do not email.