By John Walsh

Last updated at 12:16, Tuesday, 04 January 2011

Workington Reds made an abortive trip south yesterday to play their Blue Square Bet North game at Ellesmere Port.

Steve Durham

The team coach was in Lymm services, about half an hour from their opponent’s ground, when they were told the game against Vauxhall Motors had been postponed – just over two hours before kick-off.

The pitch was perfect but problems with the infrastructure meant the match referee had been forced to call it off on health and safety grounds.

Reds secretary Steve Durham said: “I had been kept informed over the weekend by Vauxhall that they had a few issues with the pipes at the ground. They had spent all day Sunday working on them.

“They thought everything would be fine and gave us the all-clear to travel but when they went down today there were more problems with the pipes.

“Although there was hot water in the dressing rooms there was no heating; there was no water in the ladies toilets, the canteen and the social club. Although we said that we were prepared to travel on and play the game the referee had to call it off because of the health and safety issue.

“I feel really sorry for the Vauxhall officials because they are genuine people. It was one of those unfortunate things and nothing sinister in any way.

“They were desperate to play after their excellent 3-1 win at Droylsden on Saturday.”

No new date has been agreed for the game to be played, and there’s still no date for the Gainsborough Trinity game at Borough Park which was one of the cold snap victims.

The other four games, however, which have been postponed recently have been re-arranged – Alfreton (away) on January 11; Redditch (home) on January 18; Eastwood (home) on January 25 and Blyth (away) on February 8.

Reds do have a free Saturday on January 15 when they should have been played the ill-fated Ilkeston but other possible opponents have re-arranged games or are playing in the FA Trophy.

Reds play on Saturday against AFC Telford at Borough Park and there is a reserve game planned for tonight, also at home, against Bamber Bridge. Giving some of his first teamers a run-out is an option open to manager Darren Edmondson.

First published at 11:39, Tuesday, 04 January 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk