Mariners Frozen Out

By: Stephen Bateman
Date: 29/12/2000

The Mariner's home clash with Portsmouth this Saturday has been abandoned due to the recent freeze that has gripped the region. Match referee Stephen Lodge inspected the pitch at 11 o'clock this morning, declaring it unfit for any weekend use.

Don Bray, the local Football League Assessor, also felt that the Blundell Park was in an unsuitable state, as he commented: "There's four-and-a-half inches of snow everywhere, the terraces are fully covered with snow, and underneath there are ice patches as well. "Quite clearly there was no chance of this game going ahead. "The other factor is the forecast, which indicates that there will be another low temperature overnight and more snow." Mariners boss Lennie Lawrence commented: "Common sense prevailed, but we are disappointed that the game is off because we are in a good run of form. However, circumstances made it impossible to play and it was right that an early decision was taken." Lawrence then went on to point out that the postponement wasn't the only problem that he had been caused as a result of the big freeze, as he continued: "Our problem is where to train now. We'll be on the beach today (Friday) and then we'll see on Saturday and Sunday when we need to do a bit in preparation for the match on New Years Day. I don't like training in gymnasiums because of the risk of injury."

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