One particular referee has been criticised as a National League South match which took place on Tuesday night is abandoned.
Tonbridge Angels’ took on Chippenham Town, however with the away side 1-0 up after 20 minutes, the official thought it was the right time to call the game off due to poor visibility.
The Bluebirds took the lead after eight minutes courtesy of the very experienced Chris Zebroski, with fans watching the game via a stream from the comfort of their own home.
Viewers were also left angry, with the cameras struggling to find a clear picture from kick-off, thankfully they are able to get some sort of refund.
Both Tonbridge and Chippenham will await the National League’s ruling to see if and when the match can be rescheduled.
https://t.co/gm5Cyj7vRM pic.twitter.com/TvXBvXnMse
— Chippenham Town FC (@ChipTownFC) December 8, 2020
The above picture was taken by Tonbridge as soon as the game kicked off, so it’s understandable to see why many thought it was a wasted journey.
Tonbridge wrote via their social media account: “It’s a tad foggy, and Chippenham are playing in a grey kit. What could go wrong?!”
Less than 19 minutes later, the Angels wrote: “The referee has called both captains over to speak to them, can only presume about the current conditions…”
19’ The referee has called both captains over to speak to them, can only presume about the current conditions… pic.twitter.com/t5sG5OrQQR
— Tonbridge Angels (@tonbridgeangels) December 8, 2020
The club then confirmed: “Game abandoned after 20 minutes due to thick fog. Impossible conditions and probably the correct decision.”
You do feel however that the game shouldn’t have even gone ahead.
Tonbridge updated fans: “Live Stream Refunds: As the game was abandoned due to the very poor visibility we have asked TicketCo to process a refund for all live stream ticket buyers. TicketCo refunds will be less the 38p booking fee. The rearranged fixture details will be announced in due course.”
Player Sonny Miles said on the abandonment: “The ref said to us the breaking point was when he was calling for a ball to be thrown on, and nobody could see him.
“You have to feel for the visitors but the game probably shouldn’t have started in the first place.”
Fair to say former Eastleigh, Newport, Cheltenham, Bristol Rovers, Torquay, Wycombe and Millwall player Chris Zebroski was miffed at his goal being taken away from him.
Annoying to get Goal chalked off 😫 https://t.co/Nq6JyZByFk pic.twitter.com/qRXBHI4WQw
— Christopher Zebroski (@Chriszebroski) December 8, 2020
There was plenty of reaction on social media, the referee criticised as National League South match is abandoned…
Why would the ref even start the game?
🖤💛— MaidstoneUnitedFansZone (@FansMaidstone) December 8, 2020
Joke
— James Harding (@jamesyharding) December 8, 2020
Ffs how’s it fair is being 1–0 up refs don’t like us at all
— declan wright (@declanw200320) December 8, 2020
More money spent out…. Neil and team don’t need it…
— Rob Brown (@izeezi) December 8, 2020
What a joke of a referee
— Gordon Hanks (@Gordon_Hanks) December 8, 2020
— Jack Tanner (@mrjacktanner) December 8, 2020
It’s going to be pot luck spotting the players on the livestream through the fog and floodlight glare.
— TrevB58 (@TrevB58) December 8, 2020
Thats a long way to come for chippy..got to feel for em😱
— R👀 (@oufcgoldengreen) December 8, 2020
— Ray Ellis (@RunOnTheMind) December 9, 2020
Yep it’s a tad misty 😂 pic.twitter.com/LqweipYrVn
— Evan (@saraf_john) December 8, 2020
Abandonment
— andrew james elliott (@andyels) December 8, 2020
😬
— UP THE MARINERS! #UTM #LetFansIn (@UTM_Mariners) December 8, 2020
Even both team’s social media pages seemingly knew this fixture was only going to play out to being called off. Just got to look at their tweets.
— Jason Lee 🇬🇧 (@ForeverAYellow) December 9, 2020
The game of hide and seek was always going to be too easy for those hiding.@tonbridgeangels A-A @ChipTownFC
(1-0 to Chipp when fog was deemed to be too thick after 20 mins) https://t.co/Xdlu5rFrPn pic.twitter.com/3H1zNeS1Gv— Martin Searle (@calneeagle) December 8, 2020
Treat it as a donation. The match started – what’s the club supposed to do? They still have to pay all the players, officials, electricity for the floodlights etc. You never know, they might show the rearranged match for free.
— TrevB58 (@TrevB58) December 8, 2020
Is there no yellow ball?? 😂
— Bobby (@Bobbystewart442) December 8, 2020
@tonbridgeangels How in good faith can you sell this stream when the weather conditions are this bad without warning? Can’t see a thing?
— Simon Lawrence (@SimonRLawrence1) December 8, 2020
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