League Opener Abandoned after 31 mins

[ourkid]

Linfield's game against Cliftonville today was abandoned after 31 minutes of play, however many will argue that it should never have started.

Floods of water could be seen flowing behind the South Stand, down through the main entrance and down Donegall Avenue by the arriving supporters, surely wondering will the game survive the 90 minutes. The pitch was clearly flooded in many areas of the pitch with large pools of water gathering along the touchlines, yet match official Alan Black somehow deemed the game fit to proceed.
It was clear from the outset that the game would eventually be abandoned, some early wild lunging tackles likely to cause serious injury as the players were being carried that extra yard along the ground by the surface water. Cliftonville manager Eddie Patterson fiercy remonstrated with the 4th official, however his Linfield counterpart, Jeffrey looked unfazed, even sending his subs out in heavy torrential rain to warm up.

The game actually managed to produce a goal, with Jamie Mulgrew doing some great work in the centre of the pitch, driving forward at the remaining two defenders in front of him before sliding a shot from about 15 yards into the bottom right corner past the keeper.

However not long after, the referee strangely took the teams off the pitch only to announce to the droves of leaving fans that the match had been 'postponed'. Anyone with an ounce of common sense would look at the sky in every direction to see that there was no sign of the rain relenting. Not long later he would re-emerge onto the pitch by himself and officially abandon the match.

On reflection, the IFA will be wondering why this fool Black has managed to earn £240 per hour today given his stupidty and he should be severely cautioned given the embarassment it has caused the Irish Premier League's officials today.

[Linfield Ranger]

Originally Posted by cornholio

Not long later he would re-emerge onto the pitch by himself and officially abandon the match.

Totally agree with everything you say there except he did have two others by his side for that bit.

[South Stand Loyal]

Originally Posted by cornholio

Not long later he would re-emerge onto the pitch by himself and officially abandon the match.

I was long gone by then, lucky we didnt hang about any longer, our car would have been flooded!!

[ourkid]

Originally Posted by South Stand Loyal

I was long gone by then, lucky we didnt hang about any longer, our car would have been flooded!!

So was I, but i heard about it and decided to add it Same situation tho, got back to where aqua's car was parked and the street was quickly flooding around it.

[Linfield Ranger]

Originally Posted by cornholio

Same situation tho, got back to where aqua's car was parked and the street was quickly flooding around it.