'It was just a colossal mistake by the EFL' - Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson gives his view on Crawley Town game

By Alan Swann
Published 11th Jan 2024, 21:03 BST
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Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has the laid the blame for the late Wednesday night EFL Trophy postponement at the feet of the EFL.

Match referee Simon Mather had no choice, but to postpone the Southern section quarter-final against Crawley Town at the Weston Homes Stadium because of a frozen pitch.

And that came as no surprise to Posh who had predicted the pitch would become unplayable when a different EFL appointed referee conducted two pitch inspections earlier in the day.

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Ferguson believes the EFL need to have more trust in their member clubs. He revealed Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsay was fuming after his club’s wasted journey. Crawley had also sold around 100 tickets for the tie.

Crawkey Town boss Scott Lindsey and Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson on Wednesday night. Picture: Joe DentCrawkey Town boss Scott Lindsey and Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson on Wednesday night. Picture: Joe Dent
Crawkey Town boss Scott Lindsey and Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson on Wednesday night. Picture: Joe Dent

The decision to postpone the game was only announced just over an hour before kick off.

SEE ALSO 'I knew at 12.30pm we were wasting our time' - Frustrated Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsey gives his take on wasted trip to Peterborough for EFL Trophy game

"It was all very frustrating,” Ferguson said. “We knew on Tuesday the weather would deteriorate so we called for an pitch inspection before Crawley were due to set off at 1pm.

“At the 12.30pm inspection the referee said the pitch wasn’t fit. This information was relayed to the EFL who said it was too early to call the game off so they asked for a 2.30pm inspection.