Leyton Orient’s National League clash with Maidenhead United postponed
Referee Adam Penwell speaks with Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh and Maidenhead United manager Alan Devonshire ahead of calling the National League game off (pic: George Sessions). - Credit: Archant
Leyton Orient’s assistant Ross Embleton reacted to the postponement and admitted the players’ safety is always the most important issue
Players and officials from Leyton Orient and Maidenhead United gather by the touchline to inspect the Brisbane Road pitch (pic: George Sessions). - Credit: Archant
Leyton Orient’s National League fixture at home to Maidenhead United was postponed earlier this afternoon due to an unsafe part of the pitch.
The O’s were set to host Alan Devonshire’s team for a 3pm kick-off on Easter Monday, but the pitch was deemed unplayable by referee Adam Penwell and his other officials.
Wet weather has hit all parts of the UK and despite Orient having covers on the pitch over the Easter period, it was not enough to prevent certain areas of the surface being unsafe.
The ground staff at Brisbane Road took the covers off at 9.30am and fans and BBC London’s Dave Victor helped out by forking the waterlogged pitch.
BBC London's Dave Victor does his best to try and get Leyton Orient's pitch into a better condition before the fixture with Maidenhead United was called off (pic: George Sessions). - Credit: Archant
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Despite the best efforts of everyone at the stadium, a 1.30pm pitch inspection was called and referee Penwell deemed the surface unsafe - mainly due to an area just in front of the South Stand.
The main official spoke with Orient boss Justin Edinburgh and Maidenhead manager Devonshire and showed both of them the particular part of the pitch causing problems before Penwell called the fixture off.
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O’s assistant Ross Embleton said: “As frustrating as it is for everyone, you have to put the players’ safety at the forefront of any decision.
“When the players’ safety is coming into question, the most rational decision is to call the game off.”
A statement on the official club website added: “Tickets will be valid for the rearranged game when the date is agreed.
“If supporters cannot make the rearranged game they can either exchange their tickets for one of the two other remaining home games (v Barrow or Wrexham) or can obtain a refund.
“Refunds must be claimed within 7 days of the date of the rearranged game being announced.”
Orient and Maidenhead are likely to rearrange the fixture for around three weeks time on Tuesday April 24.
