Football: Cousins disappointed with postponement (From Gazette Series)

Rob Cousins gives his reaction after Yate v Paulton Rovers match is postponed

5:58pm Saturday 18th February 2012 in Sport By Rob Iles

YATE TOWN manager Rob Cousins believes his side’s derby against Paulton Rovers should have gone ahead today after it was postponed 40 minutes before kick-off.

The pitch was passed fit to play in an inspection at about 1.45pm but after another heavy downpour the game was called off and many fans had a wasted journey to Lodge Road.

“I think if the ref had given it more time it would’ve been on,” said Cousins.

“We had that downpour at 2pm, but we’ve been warming up on the pitch and they just found one particular area that we could’ve dealt with.

“We could’ve swept it away and even delayed the kick-off by ten minutes and it would’ve been fine.

“I’ve certainly played in worse conditions, but the referee didn’t seem too keen to play it which is a shame.”

The postponement means Yate will have gone almost a month without a game when they visit high-flying Gosport Borough next Saturday with Mark Badman, Tyrone Mings and Tom Warren all still serving suspensions.

“We were down to bare numbers but we were mentally prepared for it,” said Cousins.

“We’re disappointed because we wanted to play some football and do what we enjoy, which is winning games, so it’s a bit of a downer but it’s out of our hands.

“We picked up momentum because we were playing regularly, but this break hasn’t done us any favours at all.”