Accrington: We did all we could to get Pompey game on

The Blues’ game with their promotion rivals was called off this morning after a 10am pitch inspection at the Crown Ground.

Referee Trevor Kettle deemed the surface unplayable after it was left frozen when temperatures plummeted overnight.

Some Pompey fans and officials – who had already set off on the long trek to the north west – reacted with frustration at the news, with Stanley initially confident the game would go ahead.

But the club felt there was no more they could have done to get the game on.

Stanley, via the club’s Twitter account said: ‘A huge effort has gone in to do everything to get this game on and the weather has beaten us. Referee came as early as he could this morning.

‘We promise you, nobody is more frustrated than us at another game off.

‘No excuse for abusive phone calls though. Staff just doing their jobs.’

Pompey Supporters’ Trust chairman and club board director, Ash Brown, felt Accrington could have handled the situation better.

He tweeted: ‘Game off, whole run up has been terribly managed by Accrington. Travelling fans suffer.’

Blues president, Mick Williams, aired his view that the referee could have got to the ground for an earlier inspection.

He said: ‘Sorry, but I find it very hard to believe that the Ref (or another Ref.) could not have got there earlier!

‘#Pompey fans were up at 5am & they were paying, not getting a fee.’

Pompey’s players were also left disappointed at the postponement after travelling north on Thursday to prepare for the game.

Striker Marc McNulty’s sympathies lied with Blues supporters, however.

He tweeted: ‘Nothing worse than your game getting called off!

‘Feel for the fans who started travelling! What a treck!(sic)’

Blues fan @vickylamb summed up the feelings of most Pompey followers.

She tweeted: ‘So frustrating that the games called off, now it will be that long trip on a Tuesday night safe trip back blues #PFC #Pompey.’

At least there was one consolation for the hardy fans who travelled north, as Portsmouth pub owner, Steve Hudson, offered a pint for their troubles.

He said: ‘To try to brighten up the day for all the Pompey fans travelling by train or coach – show your travel ticket at Shepherds Crook, Milton Arms or Wicor Mill and get a free drink on us tonight or tomorrow!’

– JORDAN CROSS