Referee defends late postponement

Referee Paul Wakelyn said he had no option but to postpone Welton Sports & Social clubs match against Tower Athletic at The West Common on Sunday on safety grounds.

Wakelyn called off the match 30 minutes before kick-off because of a frozen section of the pitch near the centre spot.

He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "There are areas which are still frozen and although the club have had heaters on it, it hasn't thawed enough.

"It was a difficult decision but player safety has to come first."

He added: "Based on the weather forecast I could not have made an earlier decision to prevent Welton travelling.

"Most of the pitch has thawed out but there is still an area of concern. It is a relatively small area and although both managers wanted the game to go ahead, my priority has to be the players' safety.

Welton manager Alistair Taylor said: "It's frustrating. At 8 o'clock you would have said it was playable but when we came back at 9.30 he took the decision that perhaps less than ten yards of the pitch which doesn't get the sun on it was unplayable.

"We wanted the game to go ahead, so I'm disappointed and I'm sure Mick [Evans, Tower manager] is as well."