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Search forCHELMSFORD: City fans' fury as match called off
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 08:00
Fans turning up in time for the 7.45pm kick-off at Bridge Road were left in the dark over whether the match would go ahead because no official announcement was ever made.
The first City fans to arrive, including those who travelled on the supporters' coach, realised the game was off was when some City players wandered into the clubhouse bar 15 minutes before the scheduled kick off time.
One upset City fan, who declined to be named, said: "It's a shambolic affair with no home club officials around to tell fans what was going on – just leaving us fans to carry on spending our money in the club bar and hoping we were told by word of mouth."
A Grays Athletic club official said they had made every effort to try and get the floodlights working in time but it had proved unsuccessful and in view of the circumstances, both clubs and the match officials decided to call the game off.
But City manager Jeff King said: "They tried hard to get the lights working and couldn't in the time.
"I was shown the problem and I'm no electrician but it was obvious they had a big problem.
"At least we didn't pick up any injuries and nobody got sent off!"
Grays, who have an attractive FA Cup First Round replay at home to Carlisle United next Tuesday, are in financial difficulty with owner Mick Woodward asking players to take a 50 per cent pay cut last month to safeguard the Blue Square Premier club's future, and first-team coaches Neil Smith and Tim O'Shea left the club.
The game with City has now been rescheduled for Tuesday November 25 but Tuesday's postponement also has other implications for the Clarets, as it means central defender Steve Robinson now serves his one-match ban by missing this Saturday's Blue Square South home match against Bath City.
King said: "It's disappointing he's not available but that's why we've a large, good squad and players who can come in and do a job where needed."
On the injury front both Chris Duffy and Steve Ward are still sidelined but otherwise no players suffered any ill-effects from the side's 2-0 win at second placed Maidenhead on Saturday.
"It was a good win, we deserved it and could have won by more goals even after Robinson was sent off," said King. "It's an old ground with a slope on it and they had that wind too in the first half but I think we did a professional job and deserved the three points."
King expects the same commitment, same attitude and work-rate from his side when they take on Bath on Saturday.
"I know I keep saying it but it's another game, another three points. We want to keep winning and not worry about anyone else," he added.
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GETTING AHEAD: Chelmsford City's Steve Robinson (claret) is beaten to the ball by Maidenhead United's Richard Pacquette. Robinson was later sent-off for pulling back Pacquette when he was through on goal. Match report on page 76.
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