Derbyshire Senior Cup Quarter Final
Christ Church Meadow, Belper
Tuesday, 19th December 2006, 7.45pm
Belper game abandoned
For the second time in succession Gresley Rovers had a fixture abandoned. This time it was the Quarter Final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.
On arrival at the ground both goalmouths were barely visible but enough to start the game.
Gresley manager Gary Norton had made changes giving some of the reserves a run out.
Within 3 minutes of the start Belper went ahead when a free kick from the left was headed towards goal where young keeper Tom Allan made a good block but Andy Rushby stabbed the rebound home.
Five minutes later, and with the conditions deteriorating quickly, one of the referee's assistants indicated to referee Ian Smedley that he could no longer see what was happening on the pitch. So the referee spoke to both managers and agreed that the match could not continue.
Manager's View
"At kick-off time it was perfect. We were a bit worried when we got here as you could barely see then goalposts, but just before kick-off it was the best it had been all night.
"Then as soon as we kicked off, it got worse, and it was incredibly difficult to see to halfway let alone the other side of the pitch.
"I am disappointed for (reserve team goalkeeper) Tom Allan. He was very nervous before the game, but it would have been a fantastic opportunity for him as he is still only 17.
"However, Shaun Ridgeway and Nick Carter were playing with tight groins and with the injury problems we have already, at least it meant we didn't pick up any more."
