Tonight’s Skrill South fixture against Tonbridge Angels has been postponed for a third time after heavy afternoon rain reversed the result of a previously successful pitch inspection at 1.00pm.
The original fixture was postponed in November due to a waterlogged pitch and the first rearrangement also suffered a cancellation as Tonbridge were involved in an FA Trophy replay.
Unsurprisingly, Angels boss – and former Fleet captain – Tommy Warrilow has publicly declared his support for 3G pitches. Having lost a potentially money-spinning Kent derby when the first fixture was postponed, Angels have since suffered a succession of postponements. He told the Kent Messenger recently, “I understand the traditionalists who think football should be played on grass. I think back to our game against Eastbourne over Christmas. The pitch was boggy, there was a bit of dew in the air and a great atmosphere. Do you lose a bit of that by playing on 3G? I’m not sure.
“You also have to look at the revenue side. At Tonbridge we’re trying to move on and bring in extra revenue but we’ve hit a wall. If you’ve got 3G, you can hire it out 24/7.”
The Conference board is due to discuss the 3G issue at a league meeting this month, with Maidstone United’s potential promotion to Skrill South meaning a decision will need to made on the introduction or otherwise of the artificial surface at Conference level.
