Chairman’s anger over league’s replay demand

STRATFORD Town chairman Jed McCrory has slammed a league decision ordering his side’s abandoned match with Alvechurch on bank holiday to be replayed, saying that it will put the welfare of players at risk.

An appeal against the decision has been lodged with the Southern League but as the Herald went to press, the sides were set to meet again tomorrow (Thursday) evening (ko 7.45pm).

The Bards were leading 3-0 when the call was made to bring the game to an early conclusion after a string of events that had seen two ambulances sent to the Arden Garages Stadium.

There were 87 minutes on the clock at the time although the referee later stated that there would have been an additional 17 minutes added due to incidents during the game.

The first of these involved Alvechurch player Isaac Godwin, a teenager on loan from Shrewsbury Town, who suffered a broken leg before half-time as he challenged Stratford’s Lewis Ison for the ball. After a lengthy delay, he was carried off on a stretcher with an ambulance being called. It was then reported that the player’s grandfather had collapsed and also needed treatment from medical staff.

Jack Storer had given the Bards a half-time lead and Charlie Williams added two more early in the second half as the home side dominated as they looked to keep their play-off hopes alive.

But shortly after his side had gone three-up, Storer fell to the floor complaining of chest pains. The paramedics switched their attention to the Stratford midfielder who was promptly taken to hospital for further tests.

There followed a series of discussions between referee Mitch Cartwright with the players, managers and chairman of both clubs when it was suggested that because there was more than 75 minutes on the clock, it was likely that the result would stand. The unanimous decision was taken to end the game early.

The following day an email from the Southern League was sent to both clubs explaining that the match needed to be replayed following an emergency committee meeting.

They said that while both clubs had called for the 3-0 scoreline to stand, they pointed out that with 17 minutes still to play, the final outcome could have been different and the ‘integrity of the competition’ had to be considered.

McCrory said the league was not considering the welfare of his and Alvechurch’s players by insisting that they play four games in eight days. Should Stratford make it into the play-offs then there would be a further game next Wednesday, 30th April.

“The game should not be treated as an abandoned match,” he insisted. “The referee asked both teams if they would like to bring the game to a close and that the result would stand.

“The game ended amicably with the integrity of the players, the supporters, and the game coming first. If one of the injured had died and we carried on playing, this would have brought great reputational damage to both clubs and the league hence both chairman made the correct decision to accept the offer from the referee.”

He also questioned how the ‘integrity of the competition’ could be upheld with Stratford Town not being able to put out a fully-fit team against St Ives Town on Saturday - one of four sides battling to avoid relegation - having played four games in a week.

“This will be putting players' welfare at risk for all those taking part,” he added.