Water way to end the year!
HORSHAM YMCA'S hopes of securing a first 'double' over Ryman League opposition were reduced to a damp squib when their encounter against Kingstonian was abandoned after a goalless half an hour.
Kingstonian became YM's first victims back in the summer as they have enjoyed a great start to their debut season in the Ryman Division 1 South.
And after a fine run of results in December, which has seen them claim three wins and four clean sheets, John Suter's men were gunning for their visitors -not bad for a side which until recently had the worst defensive record in the league.
But heavy rain after kick off at Gorings Mead put paid to the home side's ambition to continue what had been a cracking festive programme.
Referee Sam Lewis decided to call it a day after 38 minutes of the contest, influenced by Kingstonian's Gary Drewett sliding off the pitch into the fencing, and Tom White's textbook sliding tackle, which achieved splashdown about 15 yards after launch.
"After around 23 to 24 minutes the pitch had become quite waterlogged and the ball was not rolling well," Mr Lewis explained.
"Players were finding it hard to keep their footing. After half an hour, the standing water had become too much and we reached our decision after the YMCA player went in for the tackle where he thought the ball would be and kept on going after the ball had stopped in the water."
Suter commented: "I think the referee made two decisions, and they were both right decisions.
"One to start the game, as the pitch was playable and another to stop it.
"Things were becoming dangerous.
"I was a little surprised it continued when their player slid off the pitch into the fence, but after Tom White's sliding tackle from a long way out, there was no way we could continue.
"I'm sure we will not be the only game abandoned, there will be other games that will start.
"There is nothing we can do about it."
The abandonment was just as well for the home side, as Kingstonian appeared to adapt to the weather like ducks to water. The Ks used the width of the pitch well, and Drewett was in charge in midfield while skipper Julian Sills picked out all the passes.
Scott Corbett went close on 11 minutes when he blazed a difficult chance over from Sills' ball.
For all Kingstonian's possession though, YM had the better chances.
Scott Kirkwood was thwarted when he got on the «nd of a flowing move set in motion by Matt Russell and when Matt Duffield struck the inside of Luke Garrard's far post, he was too busy preparing to celebrate to pounce on the rebound.
As bursts of torrential rain and gusty wind battered the players, Mr Lewis consulted with his assistants before agreeing to signal an end to proceedings.