Strong winds and wintry weather lead to cancellation of all Saturday fixtures
Topics covered
In a disappointing turn of events for football fans, all fixtures in the Breedon Highland League scheduled for Saturday were postponed. The last match to be called off was the highly anticipated game between Banks o’ Dee and Formartine United at Spain Park.
Despite efforts to clear the pitch of snow earlier in the day, the match was ultimately canceled due to strong winds that made playing conditions unsafe.
Conditions deemed unsuitable for play
On Saturday morning, the Banks o’ Dee team worked diligently to prepare the pitch, which had passed a 10am inspection.
However, referee Jamie McCunnie made the final decision to call off the match around pm after witnessing the impact of the wind. In a telling moment, he placed a ball on the center spot, only to see it blown into one of the goals, a clear indication that the conditions were not suitable for a competitive match.
Reactions from team management
Both clubs expressed understanding regarding the referee’s decision. Banks o’ Dee co-manager Paul Lawson acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized that it was the right call. “It wouldn’t have made for a great game even if it had gone ahead,” Lawson stated. He recognized the hard work put in by the team to prepare the pitch but reiterated that safety must come first.
Similarly, Formartine United’s manager, Stuart Anderson, echoed these sentiments. He noted that the weather conditions would have made the match farcical, with the wind and rain creating an unplayable environment. “You can’t do anything with that wind; it would have spoiled the game,” Anderson remarked, expressing sympathy for the efforts made to get the pitch ready.
Other matches affected by the weather
The cancellation of the Banks o’ Dee versus Formartine United match was not an isolated incident. Other fixtures, including Brechin City versus Keith at Glebe Park, Nairn County versus Buckie Thistle at Station Park, and Clachnacuddin versus Lossiemouth, were also postponed due to adverse weather conditions. These decisions were made following failed pitch inspections on Saturday morning, highlighting the widespread impact of the wintry weather across the league.
Prior to Saturday, several matches had already been postponed on Friday, including Inverurie Locos versus Deveronvale and Fraserburgh versus Wick Academy, indicating a challenging week for the Highland League as teams grappled with the elements.
As fans look forward to the rescheduling of these matches, the focus remains on ensuring player safety and the quality of the game, which ultimately must take precedence over the desire to play.
Leave a Reply