Billericay lost their fifth match in six attempts when their scheduled home game with Essex rivals Braintree was postponed due to a frostbound pitch.

And Billericay Town chairman Rod Moore was left fed up after the referee gave the thumbs down to the match being played.

Out in the cold - Billericay Town chairman Rod Moore Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

The New Lodge supremo felt that the game should have gone ahead and said: "The safety of players must be the number one consideration.

"But the referee said that the surface was 95 per cent fit before calling off the game 80 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off. By 3pm I felt it was perfectly playable all over."

In fact, the entire Ryman Premier programme was wiped out and only three matches were played throughout the league -- Wakering's home clash with Barton being one of two to go ahead in Division One North.

Billericay are next due in action tomorrow night at Rookery Hill when they meet East Thurrock United in the Essex Senior Cup quarter-finals.

Only 10 of the scheduled 32 FA Trophy third round ties went ahead with top game locally suffering being the Purfleet v Grays derby, now planned for tomorrow.

Ryman Division One North Aveley are at Premier Kingstonian tomorrow in the Bryco Cup fourth round.

For more on Ryman Premier League sides see our Ryman Premier League section

Published Monday, January 13, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo