Wirral's independent local news website
Tranmere Rovers’ scheduled away match against Doncaster on Saturday 21 January has been postponed on safety grounds.
The Eco-Power Stadium ground staff tried to ensure the game went ahead, with frost covers laid on the pitch on Sunday, well in advance of forecasted sub-zero temperatures which prevailed throughout the week.
An inspection of the playing surface at the Eco-Power Stadium was carried out by a match official at 4pm on Friday.
While there was some degree of thawing of the pitch on Friday, a significant area remained under question. Taking into account forecasted temperatures both overnight and on Saturday morning, along with levels of moisture on the pitch at the time of the inspection, the official took the decision that play would not be possible.
Head groundsperson Dylan Thompson said, “The pitch was covered on Sunday evening when the temperature was five degrees. The covers were laid 30 hours before any frost was forecast.
“On Sunday the forecast stated the weather would warm up by Thursday but this hasn’t happened and overnight temperatures in the stadium have dropped as low as minus seven this week.
“We were always hopeful and planned for the game to be on and did all we could to ensure it was.
“In my opinion, the referee has made the correct decision to postpone the game due to the south end of the stadium, where the pitch has been rock hard. Temperatures on Friday night are set to drop to minus three, which means the pitch has no chance of thawing out completely.
“We wanted to wait and as long as possible before asking the match official to make a decision but the temperatures haven’t risen to what we need to thaw out the areas of concern.”
Tickets for the game remain valid for the rearranged fixture – details of which will be confirmed in due course.
Image: Doncaster Rovers
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