Athlone Town (Abandoned)

Match abandoned at half-time in Ferrycarrig this evening as a generator fire meant that the floodlights could not be turned on for the second half, after the Youths had done well to go in two up at the end of the first period. With Danny Furlong missing, Shane Keegan went with Conor English instead and started with Graham, Criag McC, Lee, Gary, Jimmy, Speedy, Peter, Craig W., Andy and with Rocks and Conor up front. Both sides went at it from the start knowing that a draw was of little use. Athlone forced two corners in the first minute, but nothing came of them. In the Youths first attack in the third minute, Andy was fed with the ball down the left wing, skinned his marker and his low cross found Rocks in the box who powerfully half-volleyed home for 1-0. In the following minute, Connor of Athlone did well to find space for a volley on target, but Graham in the Youth's goal managed to push it over the bar for a corner. This corner was followed by another Athlone corner, but again Graham wasn't troubled in the Youth's goal.

With eleven minutes gone, Craig McCabe picked up a yellow for a pull-back just outside the Youth's penalty area. The free-kick was hit well and on target, but Graham managed to push it away to safety. Then on 17 minutes, Youths won a corner and an Athlone marker let Gary Delaney go free criminally and he had the easiest of headers to put the Youths two up. With 22 minutes gone, Eric Molloy replaced Speedy Whittle who pulled up while on a run and needed lots of treatment. With a half-hour gone, Coughlan ofAthlone picked up a yellow for a tackle. With eight minutes to go in the half, Athlone had a good break and it led to Coughlan having a run at Graham Doyle at a slight angle, but he ballooned over. With a minute to go in the half, Athlone's Quigley got a yellow for a tackle on Conor English and first half ended at 2-0 to the Youths.

There was a very noticeable plume of smoke from where the generator is positioned at half-time and, although both sides came out for the second half, referee Mullally soon asked the stadium announcer to state that the match was being abandoned due to a generator fire. About 300 at the match.

Wonder just what Youths have to do to entice a crowd in to Ferrycarraig. A great footballing side and pushing hard near the top of the league and still only 300 coming out to see them. You'd have to say that's disappointing.

Just wondering if there would have been sufficient natural light to see the game out? I think refs looking for lights on at this time of year especially during the first half of a game seems a bit o.t.t. Then again an 8pm kick off you would have been cutting it a bit fine?
Did the ref make the call on H&S grounds? I suppose you can't take a chance with an electrical fire.

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Originally Posted by Comic Book Guy

Just wondering if there would have been sufficient natural light to see the game out? I think refs looking for lights on at this time of year especially during the first half of a game seems a bit o.t.t. Then again an 8pm kick off you would have been cutting it a bit fine?
Did the ref make the call on H&S grounds? I suppose you can't take a chance with an electrical fire.

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Actually thought Ramblers left it far too late putting on the lights last week v Harps, it got very dark at one stage before the lights came on.

I always thought there was something in the rules that stated the lights must come on by half time.

Don't think there was any risk to spectators. The generator is well away from the viewing area. At half-time, I thought the lights needed to come on so I don't think the referee had any option but to call it off.

[QUOTE=nigel-harps1954;1820462]Actually thought Ramblers left it far too late putting on the lights last week v Harps, it got very dark at one stage before the lights came on.

QUOTE]

I know Nigel, it was looking a bit dark for you until about 5 minutes to go until those two late goals:D. I'm probably just old school though, having lights on in the first half especially when it's bright seems a terrible waste.

I'd agree with awful waste having them on when they don't need to be one, but I'd think soon as the ref blows for half time the lights should be switched on to be ready for second half.

Harps were never in doubt. We're late goal specialists at this stage :cool: