'Decision was right' to call off derby cup clash

Gerry Murphy had no complaints after Steyning’s SCFL Division 1 Cup quarter-final clash at rivals Southwick was abandoned last night.
Gerry Murphy. Picture: Derek MartinGerry Murphy. Picture: Derek Martin
Gerry Murphy. Picture: Derek Martin

Ben Bacon’s fine volley had fired Town ahead early on but the referee decided to call the match off on ten minutes, with Wickers leading 1-0.

The rain was torrential when the game got going but a decision was made to start.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Southwick had a man sent off following a nasty challenge seconds before the abandonment.

That sparked a melee, with the referee calling time on the cup clash seconds later.

Steyning manager Murphy felt the right decision was made but questioned whether the match should have started.

He said: “It was the right decision to stop the game.

“Maybe it shouldn’t have started, I think we all knew looking at the weather forecast it was looking unlikely we would finish the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was certainly playable at kick-off so a difficult call for the referee.”

Steyning were without a game on Saturday but remain two points clear at the summit.

Town travel to Billingshurst on Saturday while basement boys Southwick are at managerless Storrington.

Have you read?