League not panicking yet

A fixture crisis for the ADA East Sussex Football League is at least a month away, according to vice-chairman and fixture secretary Kevin Bray.
A waterlogged pitch at Tilekiln in St Leonards. Picture by Simon NewsteadA waterlogged pitch at Tilekiln in St Leonards. Picture by Simon Newstead
A waterlogged pitch at Tilekiln in St Leonards. Picture by Simon Newstead

Although only 21 league matches have been completed since mid-December, the situation is pale in comparison to last year’s prolonged cold snap that stretched throughout March.

Bray said: “As of last Thursday, before we knew of the weekend’s cancellations, there had been 227 postponements this season compared to over 300 at the same stage last year.

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“It’s not been ideal, frustrating for players and clubs, but it’s not as bad as last year. Everyone is hoping the bad weather will break sooner rather than later. Herstmonceux and JC Tackleway even travelled to Seaford to play on the 3G pitch last Saturday to get their cup match on.”

The East Sussex Football League programme was largely undisturbed this season until the skies opened just before Christmas, by which time many teams were ahead with their fixtures.

“The majority of teams were ahead with their games,” added Bray. “Some even looked as though they were set to play all their matches by the end of January.

“Last year we were getting very concerned, but we managed to get through all those fixtures. All the cups are at least in the quarter-final stage. No need to panic yet, give it another month.”

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