Match Report

MATCH ABANDONED

JIM MCINALLY AND THE OFFICIALS LEAVE THE FIELD AFTER ABANDONING THE MATCH

Peterhead 0 Annan Athletic 0

Annan made the long journey to Peterhead on Saturday only for the game to be abandoned after 20 minutes due to driving rain and gale force winds driving in off the North Sea and as conditions deteriorated  it left referee Colin Steven with no option but to call a halt to the proceedings.

Annan playing with the wind had the bulk of possession but they never really caused any alarm for the home team who created a good opening in the 1^st minute when Rodgers and McCallister combined for the latter to blast over the bar. Andrew Mitchell tried his luck with a free kick from the half way line but the ball sailed narrowly over the bar. Scott Davidson had an effort  just off target before the game was abandoned.

Annan boss Jim Chapman commented we were concerned about the strength of the wind before hand but it was becoming a farce the most important people are the supporters and players you cannot play in conditions like that and as much as we can say we are disappointed at the decision to call the game off but I must back the referee who has made the right decision , maybe we should not have started it but he cant predict the weather and the one thing you cant play against is a gale force wind.

I spoke to Jim McInally beforehand and we agreed that if we start we will finish it but the way it panned out it just got worse and the referee has a decision to make as a spectacle . Its not the first time and it won’t be the last time but there is no easy solution . If you look at every factor it means that there will be a mid week journey for Annan and the logistics of that for players . I know Jim has had to come down to Annan in midweek and some players will miss out,  it is never easy but we will deal with that in due course.

Peterhead – G Smith, G Sharp,  S Noble , R Smith, S Ross,  D Cowie, A Rodgers,  J Redman, R McAllister, B Gilfillan, R Strachan . Substitutes not used F McLaren, P Jarvie, J Brown, R McCann, C McGlinchey, K Buchan, G Alexander

Annan Athletic – K Arthur, S Sloan, M McNiff, S Black,  S Swinglehurst, M Flynn  , S Davidson, K Brannan, A Mitchell, J Todd, P Bradley. Substitutes not used Trialist, I Chisholm, C Jardine, J Mofat, D Orsi, D Wood

Referee C Steven                  Assistants  D Watt and C Fraser