WOODLEY United were left frustrated once again after their Hellenic League match against Bracknell Town on Monday evening was called off less than an hour before the scheduled kick-off, writes Dave Wright.

The pitch looked playable during the day and both teams arrived at Rivermoor Stadium before learning the game was off.

The match officials were concerned about a puddle in the sandy goalmouth at the car-park end and ruled the game could not go ahead.

Facing a growing backlog of fixtures, both sides were keen to play, with several players commenting: “We have played on a lot worse pitches than this.”

For Woodley, it was their seventh postponement in their last 11 fixtures and their 10th of the season.

“If the rain keeps up, there are going to be more,” groaned general manager Mark Rozzier. “I’ve never known a season like it.”

Assistant team manager Nuno Antunes added: “It was disappointing not to have played.

“Each person will have their own views on the pitch. We certainly felt it was playable, but we respect any decision made by the referee.”

Of Woodley’s eight remaining league games, seven are at Rivermoor.

Antunes continued: “It is going to be quite tough to fit in all games by mid-April and obviously, Highmoor’s home games have to be taken into account as well. Both of us also have home cup ties to fit in.

“The pitch is much better than it was, but will it take three or four games a week, that is the question, especially if it continues to rain, which the forecast suggests it may well.”

Like Woodley, Bracknell players were equally frustrated about Monday’s postponement, especially TJ Bohane, who endured a two-hour journey getting to the ground after being told the game was on.

It also meant former Woodley star Carl Davies (pictured) must wait for his first game since being appointed Town’s new player-manager last week.

Davies, who was instrumental in helping Woodley gain promotion from the Reading League to the Hellenic League back in 2009, commented:”We have played on pitches a lot worse than this. There appears to be a lack of consistency among the refs when they come to making these decisions.”

Woodley are now hoping Saturday’s home game with Ascot United will go ahead, giving them a chance to complete a double following their 3-1 win at the Racecourse Ground last September.

“That was a really good performance, it was our first victory under James (manager Anderson),” Antunes recalled.

Since then, however, United have lacked consistency, and now find themselves second-from-bottom of the Premier Division and in a real fight to finish out of the relegation zone.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge, but we are capable of getting higher up the table,” stated United’s assistant manager, whose side are sandwiched between tailenders Burnham and Highmoor Ibis.

“Those two clubs have brought in (new) players and will pick up points without any shadow of a doubt.

“But what is in our favour is the number of home games we have left and that could be a positive for us.

“The big thing of us now is the Ascot game, we want to get the points.”

Woodley are also scheduled to play table-topping Highworth at home next Monday (7.45pm).

Highmoor Ibis’s Premier Division game at home to Tuffley Rovers was also postponed on Saturday.

The third-bottom side do not have a game this coming Saturday, returning to action on Saturday, March 17 at leaders Highworth Town.

AFC Aldermaston’s Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup game at home to Flackwell Heath also fell victim to the weather.

The Atom Men host Wallingford Town in Division One East of the Hellenic League this coming Saturday (3pm), before they play their re-arranged cup tie against Flackwell next Tuesday (7.45pm).

  • ONLY two games survived the weather in the Reading & District Sunday League.

Division Three table-toppers Englefield smashed Mortimer Reserves 5-1, while Shinfield Rangers edged out Caversham United 2-1 in Division Four.

  • ALL of the Thames Valley Premier League programme was postponed on Saturday due to the effects of the Beast from the East and Storm Emma.
  • WOODLEY United Ladies visit Southern Region Premier Division leaders Chesham United in their League Cup semi final on Sunday (2pm).

Chesham have a 100 per cent league record, while Woodley have reached the last four by beating Wycombe Wanderers 4-2, enjoying a walkover against Fleet Town and hammering Barton Rovers 6-1 in the quarter finals.