The inside track on the Portsmouth pitch postponement which infuriated Ipswich Town
The Fratton Park clash with high-flying Ipswich was called off this morning
It was a decision which incensed travelling Ipswich supporters and no doubt infuriated their manager.
Yet Pompey are confident the correct call was made by postponing today’s Championship clash - and that every possible precaution was taken in attempts to keep it on.
With covers having been on the Fratton Park pitch since 1pm on Friday, the Blues’ groundstaff had hoped the protection would enable the fixture to go ahead.
However, a heavy overnight frost from Saturday evening, with centigrade levels dipping below minus, dictated that even pitch covers couldn’t save the match this morning.
It is understood a precautionary inspection was held at 9am today, with Blues head coach John Mousinho and Ipswich counterpart Kieran McKenna present alongside referee Leigh Doughty.
The Tractor Boys had stayed overnight, enabling representatives of the club to be at Fratton Park early to see the condition of the playing surface for themselves.
Another inspection was held at 10am, with the area in front of the South Stand a particular concern, irrespective of having been covered since Friday.
The South Stand traditionally casts a shadow over that part of the Fratton Park pitch, ensuring it always struggles to attract sunshine, thereby taking longer to dry or thaw out.
Pompey then announced, through its communication channels, that an official pitch inspection would be held at 11am, with all parties wary of supporters making a fruitless long trip from Ipswich.
At that point, referee Doughty postponed the match due to a frozen pitch - a decision which unquestionably upset Ipswich more than an injury-ravaged Pompey.
Indeed, it’s the first time in almost 14 years since Fratton Park has suffered a frozen pitch, when Hull were scheduled to visit in February 2012 in the Championship.
The last occasion there was a weather-influenced postponement at home was in January 2013, when the League One clash against Notts County fell to a waterlogged pitch.
Sheffield United’s fixture against Oxford United was also called off this morning, with the decision announced at 10.05am.
‘Referee Leigh Doughty made the call after an inspection of the Fratton Park surface at 11am.
‘Portsmouth had been hit by overnight temperatures of below freezing, with frost covers having been laid since Friday.
‘Information for supporters who had purchased match tickets or hospitality packages for this game will be announced in due course.’