Bethnal Green United manager Justin Gardner has expressed his immense frustration after his side s match against Stansted was called off just 45 minutes before kick-off on Saturday

Bethnal Green United manager Justin Gardner has expressed his immense frustration after his side's match against Stansted was called off just 45 minutes before kick-off on Saturday.

After not playing a game since early December the East End club were champing at the bit, but at 2.15pm the referee felt the surface was unsafe to play on.

"It was a long way to travel and I feel if an away team turns up then you have to at least start the game," Gardner said.

"Some players said the pitch was okay and some were unsure, but Stansted allowed us to train on the pitch and it seemed fine.

"It was the first time this season that I had a fully-fit squad to chose from and I was looking forward to seeing Anton Stephenson and Marlon Campbell up front together.

"One side of the pitch was quite hard, but after a while when we trained on it, it almost turned to sludge. I told the referee he should have started the game and given it a chance."

It was a double-blow for United, whose next match will likely be against an in-form Hullbridge Sports this Saturday at Mile End Stadium.

Their opponents are bang in form and are unbeaten in six matches with their last result being a 2-1 win over league leaders Burnham on Saturday.

And with United's Essex Senior League cup match against Barkingside likely to be called off due to the weather, the east Londoner's will be pretty rusty come Saturday having not played since December 12.

"I hope the game on Wednesday goes ahead and the lack of football for so long is a concern," Gardner admitted.

"I am 100 per cent confident of winning the game and it is a massive game for both teams. They are flying at the moment and we have only trained twice since Christmas, but I have great belief in my side.