REFEREE John Matthews’ late decision to postpone the local derby between Pickering Town and Tadcaster Albion in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division sparked controversy at Mill Lane.

After heavy rainfall on Friday, Pickering’s groundsman Jonny Smith worked on the pitch from 8am on Saturday morning and, with use of the Recreation Ground’s Super Sopper, it passed a 10am pitch inspection.

Further sleet showers at 12.30pm and 1pm led to the postponement of the game in a further inspection taken at 2.10pm in which the referee expressed concerns at a band of standing water down the centre of the pitch.

Scores of supporters from both Tadcaster and Pickering, who were already at the ground, were left dismayed as the sun stayed out for the rest of the day!

Incensed at the decision, Pikes chairman Keith Usher stated that Matthews refused to wait ten more minutes for the pitch to dry out further and for the groundstaff to continue work on the areas of concern that they had not had time to address.

Usher said: “The referee said it was waterlogged and there was a little water standing on the ground.

“He just went into the centre circle and said ‘if a player goes in the middle of that and breaks his ankle we’ll be sued'.

“He told the managers that he would make a decision no later than ten past two,” he continued.

“It’s a big local derby and he wouldn’t use common sense to wait ten minutes and take another look.”

Usher expressed his disappointment at the decision and explained the losses it would incur for the club, saying: “A lot of work has gone into the pitch this morning by volunteers.

“We’ve got to pay a half fee and expenses to the three officials, and one never knows what you’re going to get in the re-arranged game,” Usher added.

“I was so annoyed and I’ve made my mind up, along with everyone else I’ve spoken to, that this match should have been played.”

Pikes manager Paul Marshall – who was set to face the club he managed for seven years – understood the thinking behind the postponement, saying: “It’s disappointing now but when we look back on it in a few weeks’ time it’s probably the right decision.

“The pitch probably would have been fine but it wouldn’t have been the best or most fluid game.

“We’ve played on a hell of a lot worse pitches this season, but unfortunately today’s caught us out.”

Brewers boss Billy Miller supported the referee’s decision on the grounds of player safety, adding: “The groundstaff have worked their socks off but if the referee deems the pitch dangerous to play on then you’ve got to go with his decision.

“It’s not worth getting irate about, he's made his decision and player safety is obviously the big concern of his.

“It’s his decision, he didn’t come and try and influence me picking the team and I don’t influence his decision.”