Fleetwood v Walsall is called off again
Walsall's League One trip to Fleetwood Town tonight has been called off for a second time because of a waterlogged pitch at the Highbury Stadium.
The playing surface was due to be assessed at 3pm, but the fixture has now been postponed ahead of time because of the elements.
The weather also put paid to the fixture on Saturday December 12, after the Saddlers players and management had already arrived.
Heavy rain on the Flyde coast last night put paid to the match, although Walsall manager Sean O'Driscoll was surprised at the decision.
He said: ""We were all quite surprised, to be honest. If the referee had called it off for the wind speed, we would have all thought it was a good decision.
"However, he has called it off for a waterlogged pitch. I couldn't see any actual standing water on there, but you have to respect the decision."
Referee Scott Duncan begged to differ, saying: "Dale Frith, the groundsman at Fleetwood, has worked incredibly hard on the pitch.
"But there's an awful lot of surface water still on it. The goalmouths are pretty treacherous and certainly on the far wings.
"I have to take the players safety and the game, as a spectacle, into consideration. Unfortunately, there's too many suspect areas on the playing surface, with more heavy rain forecast I'm afraid."
A third date for the game will be announced in due course. All tickets for will still be valid. Those who cannot make the re-arranged fixture are entitled to a full refund.
