Rain frustrates all but Lymington FC (From Andover Advertiser)

Wash out brings yet more frustration

8:59pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in Sport By Sports editor Kerry Miller

What has become one of the worst seasons for postponements in living memory once again took another pounding this weekend when returning downpours put paid to almost any chance of football in the Wessex and Hampshire 2004 Leagues.

Only Lymington Town beat the rain as all other matches on Friday and Saturday were lost.

Most frustrating of all was Whitchurch United’ s derby at Tadley Calleva’s Barlows Park ground on Friday night which bit the dust at 7.15 with both sets of players and supporters either in place or on the way. Having agreed to play on a Friday to maximise the attendance potential, United will now have to wait for a Wessex League ruling as to when the game can be rescheduled.

Manager Jim Macey will be an interested party as his side have slowly built momentum and are now serious contenders for promotion as well as being in the North Hants Senior Cup Final and the Andover League Open Cup semi-final.

Despite only having to negotiate 30 league games his side is rapidly running out of free days in which to fit any additional postponements. If the rain abates long enough United will entertain Fleet Spurs on Tuesday night at Longmeadow, seven days after the visitors defeated Stockbridge 3-0 at the Rec.

Meanwhile Andover New Street will probably have to face a midweek trip to league leaders Cowes Sports after their game at Westwood Park was also a victim of the torrential rain. Street are well up with their fixtures but any trip to the island rarely has dozens of players queuing to play and a midweek date will make it even less appealing.

Stockbridge have also suffered with any number of postponements this season and their trip to Hythe and Dibden also went the same way on Saturday. They are also in the Andover League Open Cup semi-finals but are well up with their fixtures and entertain Team Solent on Tuesday if the Rec has somehow recovered.

In the Hampshire 2004 League Andover Lions predictably were inactive also as their home league game with leaders Forest Town was called off at the Charlton Track.