Hartlepool United caretaker manager Antony Sweeney disappointed with FA Cup first round postponement at Yeovil Town

Antony Sweeney’s final game in caretaker charge was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Yeovil Town.
Hartlepool United caretaker manager Tony Sweeney during the Vanarama National League match between Notts County and Hartlepool United at Meadow Lane, Nottingham on Saturday 2nd November 2019. (Credit: Jon Hobley | MI News)Hartlepool United caretaker manager Tony Sweeney during the Vanarama National League match between Notts County and Hartlepool United at Meadow Lane, Nottingham on Saturday 2nd November 2019. (Credit: Jon Hobley | MI News)
Hartlepool United caretaker manager Tony Sweeney during the Vanarama National League match between Notts County and Hartlepool United at Meadow Lane, Nottingham on Saturday 2nd November 2019. (Credit: Jon Hobley | MI News)

The FA Cup first round tie was called off after a prompt pitch inspection over 90-minutes before kick-off on an otherwise sunny day in Yeovil.

The match will now take place in just three days time on Tuesday 12 November.

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And after travelling 330-miles for the match, Sweeney couldn’t hide his frustrations following the decision.

“We’re clearly disappointed, it’s a long way to come for no football and now coming back on a Tuesday night as well,” Sweeney said.

“I can see why the referee was concerned, it is pretty wet but I’ve played on worse before.

“It’s hard not to be a bit cynical after making the journey, the one thing I’d say would be couldn’t we have waited another 45 minutes to try and see what it’s like then.

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“We’ve travelled overnight, the fans have travelled six hours to be here so I don’t suppose waiting 45 minutes to fork the pitch and try to get rid of some of the standing water and see what the weather holds because at the moment it’s pretty warm and sunny.

“But it’s difficult for the referee and he’s made the call so we live with it.

“We’re straight on the bus home now. The lads will be disappointed and moaning but I expect that when we’ve travelled all this way wanting to play an FA Cup tie and they don’t get the chance.

“You learn a lot about yourself and learn quite fast in the job. I didn’t for one moment think I’d learn how to cope with seven hours on the bus and how to pick the players up when they don’t get any football at the end of it but it’s an uncontrollable.

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“We don’t control the weather and the referee has a difficult call to make out there.

“There was standing water out there and one of the penalty areas is pretty dangerous if we’re honest but as I say I’ve played on worse and the weather is fine so there’s certainly a sense of disappointment.”