SOUTH WEST LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH

Bude Tn 3

Torpoint Ath 1

TORPOINT Athletic player-manager Mandi McCann was furious that this game ever went ahead after kick-off was delayed by 80 minutes.

The match was due to start at 2.00 pm but the referee failed to make an appearance. And, after Torpoint – who arrived at Bude with just ten players following a catalogue of injuries – contacted a League official, they were advised the match had to be played if a qualified referee could be found.

Eventually the Bude chairman agreed to officiate and the game began at 3.20 pm, before being brought to a premature end just before 4.50 pm due to bad light.

McCann blasted: 'I am rarely angry but I am furious, because if we want to make a complaint it is going to cost the club £25.00 – I will have to talk to the club because I am not happy at all.'

Despite the prolonged delay and the fact they were a player short, Athletic started brightly and were rewarded when Rachel Finch thumped in the opening goal off the underside of the crossbar.

Torpoint missed a number of first-half chances, which they were later made to regret as the hosts stepped up the pressure after the break and Leona Marsh soon found the leveller.

With the players finding life difficult in the poor light, Bude's Lizzy Jenkins struck the crossbar with a shot that visiting 'keeper Louise Galway didn't even see.

The conditions had now become farcical as Jenkins then thumped in a free-kick – with Galway remaining rooted to the spot complaining that she could not see the ball again. Marsh added her second before the stand-in referee brought the match to a premature end.