Postponement of Romans’ FA Trophy tie was ‘out of their hands’

Bath City came in for online criticism for the second weekend running, after a match at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park was again called off close to kick-off.

Bath City’s Isuzu FA Trophy fourth-round home tie against Southend United has been rearranged for tomorrow, Tuesday 13th January | Photo © Richard Briggs

The Romans’ Isuzu FA Trophy fourth-round clash with visitors Southend United was due to be played on Saturday 10th January but its postponement – because of frost – was announced around an hour before the scheduled start.

However, Bath say the decision not to play was out of their hands.

This followed City’s Enterprise National League South match at home to Ebbsfleet United on Saturday 3rd January biting the dust, also because of frost, less than two hours before the programmed kick-off.

On the morning of the Southend game, a statement from Bath said: “Good news for everyone heading to the game.

“After our inspection this morning, we can confirm the pitch is match-ready. There was a slight ground frost but the covers have done their job.”

However, on arriving at the stadium, the match referee decreed that the fixture could not go ahead. It has been rearranged for tomorrow, Tuesday 13th January (7.45pm).

A statement from the Romans following the call-off of the Trophy tussle said: “Everyone at the football club is frustrated by today’s decision.

“First of all, we’d like to acknowledge the length that home and away supporters have travelled and wish them a safe journey home. We hope to see as many of them as possible on Tuesday night.

“At 9am, we inspected the pitch and deemed it to be playable. Frost covers were in place overnight and there were no concerns with the pitch upon arrival.

“This was communicated to the match referee and he felt no need to arrive to the stadium earlier to inspect.

“When the referee arrived at 1 pm, he expressed concerns over a run-off area on the Popular Side and went on to express further concerns about general pitch deterioration whilst inspections were taking place.

“As a club run by volunteers, we did everything in our power to ensure the game went ahead as planned.

“We would like to reiterate that this was a refereeing decision made on the basis of player safety, something paramount to us all.

“We completely understand and sympathise with the frustrations of both sets of supporters, but this was a decision that – ultimately – was out of our hands.”

Tickets for tomorrow’s match are available at https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=16620

Tickets for the original date of the tie are valid. But anyone who bought a ticket for that and is unable to attend can claim a refund, in writing via email to [email protected] or at the club office.

The club’s refund policy can be viewed at https://www.bathcityfc.com/ticket-refund-exchange-policy/

The reward for the winners of tomorrow’s game is a trip to Kent club Chatham Town, from the Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division, in the fifth round – the last 16 – on Saturday 31st January.

The Romans’ league game against Ebbsfleet has been rearranged for Tuesday 17th February (7.45pm).

Meanwhile, Jaiden Putman’s loan at Bath has been extended by a month by his parent club Queens Park Rangers.

And City have signed midfielder Ruebin Sheppard on a month’s loan from Bristol City.