Morpeth Town would like to apologise to Marske United for the abandoned Integro Cup first round clash last night.
In what ultimately proved an incredibly frustrating night for all concerned, our game at Craik Park was abandoned without reaching half-time, due to floodlight failure at one end of the ground.
“It is a great disappointment to us all at the club that the match with Marske United had to be abandoned due to floodlight failure,” chairman Ken Beattie told the club website.
“The problem occurred with the lights going off intermittently, thanks to a trip switch in the electrical junction room kicking in. The issue had been picked up late yesterday afternoon during a routine floodlight test and it was initially thought it was being caused by dampness in an internal junction box; after drying it out, we thought the problem had been solved.
“As a precaution, however, we called in technicians from an electrical company who we employ to be on standby for every home match we have. Unfortunately, however, the fault continued during the match with the lights going out three times. The electricians managed to get them operating again, but only after a 10-minute delay in between. After the fourth failure, the referee called a halt to proceedings.
“Following the end of the match, the electricians continued their diagnosis and the conclusion was that one of the ballasts in the external junction box was the issue. The club are now in a race prior to Saturday’s home match against Nantwich Town to first of all trace the failing ballast (there are 12) and replace it.
“Let me also take this opportunity to apologise to Marske United, to the officials and fans for their patience and support last night. We did everything we could in a competition which is low in our priorities with it being particular disheartening for the players who have not had much game time this season and who were playing last night and thereby losing an opportunity to impress the management.”
