Bradbury: Postponement a big blow for Hawks

Lee Bradbury, right, was left frustrated on Saturday. Picture: Paul Jacobs

A heavy downpour just after 12midday left standing water on the Westleigh Park pitch and the official took one look at it and immediately called the game off.

Both teams wanted to play and pleaded for more time to try to get the pitch playable but the referee would not be swayed.

It was particularly irking for the visiting team and their supporters who had made the long journey from Cornwall.

There was a lot at stake for both teams, the Hawks fighting against relegation and Truro looking to consolidate their place in the play-off places.

With the visitors not having any free Tuesdays between now and the end of the season it looks as though they will have to make the return journey on a Thursday night.

Hawks manager Lee Bradbury was disappointed the game couldn’t be played.

‘We had a pitch inspection at 7.30 in the morning to make sure and the pitch was fine,’ said Bradbury.

‘It is not an ideal situation for us because at this stage we want to be playing games.

‘The last thing we want is other teams playing when we are not and making up ground on us.

‘Unfortunately we can’t help what comes out of the sky and you cannot prepare for that.

‘The shower came down and laid on top of the pitch

‘There isn’t anything we can do about it and it is what it is.

‘Both teams wanted to play and we tried to convince the referee to go ahead with it. He travelled three and a half hours on the M25 and wanted the game on as well.

‘Unfortunately he looked at it and felt that it wasn’t safe with some soft areas out there.

‘We want to play but at the same time do not want to pick up injuries.’

St Albans and Bath City both picked up surprise wins, while Weston-super-Mare and Hayes & Yeading both gained valuable points.

Only goal difference is keeping the Hawks out of the bottom three.

‘The next couple of weeks are huge for us and we know we are fighting for our lives,’ said Bradbury.

‘Two wins from our final four games should see us safe.

‘The sooner we get those two wins the better.’

n Fans are reminded that the Hampshire Senior Cup final against Winchester City at St Mary’s on Tuesday is an all-ticket affair.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 concessions (over 65 and under 16 years of age). They can be bought at the Westleigh pub.