The SCEFL Premier Division match between Holmesdale and promotion challengers Phoenix Sports was abandoned at half time with the visitors leading 3-0 on Wednesday night, Referee Richard Myers citing ‘player safety’ as the reason for calling the game off.

The rain had started to fall from just before 7pm and carried on throughout the evening, but the pitch was holding up well as the game kicked off, with fans huddled under the covers behind the goals and the main stand full to capacity.

Second place Phoenix Sports started the game on top, pressing from kick off and they were awarded an early penalty when Francis Babalola was brought down in the box by Dale Keeper James Boughtflower.

Ryan Hayes stepped up to take the spot kick which was brilliantly saved by Boughtflower low down to his left. Sports kept pushing for an opener though and they eventually went in front on 12 minutes when a corner came out to Babalola who turned sharply and smashed the ball home for 1-0.

Holmesdale briefly battled back, they had a penalty shout of their own when Clyde Semazzi went down in the area, but the appeals were waved away and Cuma Eze volleyed over soon after.

Phoenix then pressed again and were 2-0 up on 27 minutes when Babalola received the call on the edge of the box, turned the Dale defence and fired the ball low into the far corner to double their lead.

With the rain now torrential, Phoenix made it 3-0 with nine minutes of the half left when Tom Hanfrey crossed from the left and Alfie Evans headed home from six yards out. Going into the break Holmesdale rallied, but the Sports defence were solid and keeper Andy Walker’s handling superb in very tricky conditions.

As the half ended the referee and his assistants remained out on the field and were bouncing the ball in areas of the pitch with some standing water.

The match official then announced to the fans gathered outside the bar area than the game had been abandoned much to the annoyance of the Phoenix Sports manager Steve O’Boyle whose side have a strong challenge for promotion unbeaten in thirteen matches.  

Holmesdale: James Boughtflower, Siji Akinlusi, James Shield, Luke Adams, Ryan Styles, Cian McCarthy, Clyde Semazzi, Chimaechi Eze, Harry Main, Herve Mbongue, Kameiko Pope-Campbell.

Subs: Jamie Rawsthorne, Fred Obasa, Edward Sata, Abdul Muiz Alaka, Emmanuel Oduguwa

Phoenix Sports: Andy Walker, Henry Douglas, Tom Hanfrey, Mikey Dalton, Ryan Sawyer, Matthew Bourne, Francis Babalola, Lee Bird, Tashi-Jay Kwayie, Ryan Hayes, Alfie Evans.

Subs: Lewis Clark, Daniel Birch, Andy Pugh, Kieran King, Isaac Long                   
HT 0-3

Goals: Bablola 12 & 27mins, Evans 36mins.  

ATT: 81

Referee: Richard Myers