The pitch was playable, agree disappointed bosses - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Tonight’s crucial Kent League Cup Group D clash between Tunbridge Wells and Thamesmead Town was postponed by Dartford referee Mr Darren Blunden just 75 minutes before kick-off, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tunbridge Wells needed to pick up maximum points from their last group game tonight to have any chance of qualifying for the last eight with Beckenham Town.

If they did defeat Thamesmead tonight, the current Kent League leaders, they would then have had to rely on Beckenham Town beating the Mead in their final group game.

But there could be discussions between Tunbridge Wells, Thamesmead Town and the Kent League to get their game cancelled if there is nothing riding on it to save costs.

Tunbridge Wells officials were tonight counting the financial costs of tonight’s postponement.

Secretary Barry Whitlock, a qualified referee, had permission from the Kent League to inspect the Culverden Stadium pitch at 4:30pm as there were no local officials available.

But despite there being no rain from that time, Mr Blunden passed the pitch unplayable two hours later, to the annoyance of both managers, who spoke EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk together in the clubhouse with a drink and a curry and rice, cooked by the hospitable bar staff.

“Very disappointed,” said Keith McMahon, the manager of Thamesmead Town. “Me and Martin have been on the pitch and it’s playable in our opinion.

“It’s a long way to come down - I’m a bit disappointed.”

Tunbridge Wells boss Martin Farnie added: “I was down here at eleven o’clock today, walked across the pitch, done some work down the ground, and it looked fine to play.

“We’ve had a little bit of rain but nothing serious - the pitch is playable.”

Farnie was, however, disappointed that the game was postponed, especially as the club spent money on the playing surface during the close season.

He said: “If it’s like that we won’t play the rest of the season on it.

“I’ve played on ten times worse than that and I can’t see what the referee is up to and his attitude stunk tonight as well.

“He was too hard faced about it once the flack started hitting his face, he made a quick gettaway.”

McMahon was disappointed that the official failed to listen to the management teams.

“I think the most disappointing thing was he didn’t wait for and Martin to get here,” he bemoaned.

“We were both held up in traffic, was here at half six and the decision was made.

“He wouldn’t walk on the pitch with either of us. We walked across the pitch in our shoes and suits and there is not a bit of mud on us.”

But attention now turns to their Kent Senior Trophy second round ties on Saturday.

Local rivals Slade Green visit Bayliss Avenue, whilst minnows Hollands & Blair, who are based in Gillingham, visit Culverden Stadium.

“Big game,” said McMahon. They’ve got five ex-players from Thamesmead so we always have a good battle with them.

“We know all about them, they know all about us, so it’s going to be a close game to be fair.”

Thamesmead will, however, be without former Gravesend & Northfleet and Sevenoaks Town defender Sam Groombridge.

McMahon revealed: “Sam has done his ankle ligaments, a really late challenge on him in the last five minutes on Saturday so he misses about six weeks so apart from that it’s a full side.

“We pick what side I think is going to win the game,” he added. “But you can’t play the same side every week and win this league and cups.

“The last 12 weeks we’ve played two games a week so it’s impossible to get them people in certain conditions to play 24 games.”

Farnie, meanwhile, is expecting to be without striker James Carter for the home game against the British Energy Kent County League minnows.

The Gillingham based outfit are currently in the bottom five in their first ever season in that division and Farnie expects his side, bottom of the Kent League with just five points, will be too strong for them.

“I don’t know nothing about them,” he admitted. “We haven’t had them watched, which is strange for me because usually by now I’ve had the teams watched which we usually play.

“But I expect to go through, not comfortably, but I expect to go through with a convincing win.”

With Ryman League Division One South outfit Dartford suffering with injuries, Farnie expects Carter to be recalled by Darts boss Tony Burman on Saturday.

Dartford welcome Kentish rivals Sittingbourne to Princes Park and that game has been brought forward to a 1pm kick off due to floodlighting issues at their new home.

Carter will know on Friday whether he will be wearing a white or red shirt on at the weekend.