'ABSOLUTE JOKE'
Fans travel five hours only for football clash to be called off 20 MINUTES before kick-off in ‘disgusting’ decision
Fifth-tier supporters make huge midweek trip for crucial match in vain
FURIOUS fans made a 606-mile round trip only to see their team's crucial match called off 20 MINUTES before kick-off.
Aldershot Town supporters called the late postponement of Tuesday's National League trip an "absolute joke" - but home side Gateshead said a "monumental effort" had been made in vain to save it.
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Aldershot revealed the shock news at 7.25pm by posting: "Tonight's match against Gateshead has been postponed because of an unplayable pitch."
One supporter responded: "What an absolute joke... I feel awful for any of the away fans, have a safe trip back South."
Another called the "disgusting" situation "absolutely shocking!"
Gateshead issued this statement: "Despite the best efforts of staff, volunteers, supporters and groundsmen throughout the day, the referee has deemed the pitch unsafe for play and tonight's match has been postponed."
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The fifth-tier club promised refunds to anyone who had bought tickets for ta match between two clubs fighting for a play-off spot
A group of Aldershot players walking on the running track around the pitch even faced an X-rated rant from the stand - accusing them of "not wanting to play football".
But the match had been in doubt earlier in the day and it's the ref who ultimately decides.
One supporter shared rain-ravaged pictures of what they claimed was the home ground at around 4.30pm - three and a quarter hours before the game's scheduled start.
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That fan added the prophetic words: "Yeah there is no chance this game is on tonight if that's the pitch."
And at just past 6pm Gateshead posted to say the pitch had been inspected, with another check due for 6.45.
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They added at the time: "Options are being explored to give the fixture every chance of being played, including the possibility of delaying kick off."
But it proved in vain - leaving many fans incredulous when the postponement came at 7.20pm.
Gateshead then faced a deluge of a different kind - an outpouring of frustration.
One supporter posted: "Tinpot and disgusting for failing to get the game on and for having poor drainage which has made me feel bad, grumpy and wild, needs new drainage installed this summer."
A full explanation of the circumstances has not yet emerged.
But this comment on X appeared to sum up the feelings of many.
It read: "Fans are fuming that they’re travelled 6 hours there, and then 6 hours back without seeing the game. They also need to travel another 12 hours back there next Thursday with minimal notice. Call it off this morning when it was torrential ffs."
Aldershot later posted their gratitude for their supporters who had undertaken the journey of more than five hours.
The Hampshire club stated: "A massive thank you to all of the supporters who did make the trip up to Gateshead. We hope you have a quick and safe journey home; your commitment and dedication to your support of our club is truly outstanding."
Shortly before 10pm the hosts issued a lengthy statemen,t saying a qualified ref had given the match the go-ahead in the morning - and once rain was forecast a massive "joint effort" was launched to keep it on.
Gateshead insisted "the council, the club and volunteers" went into overdrive to clear the standing water after a "heavier than anticipated"; downpour - knowing the Aldershot squad was already on their way by train.
But the bid failed - leaving the North East team now needing to squeeze in five league games by April 20.
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Gateshead sit sixth, two places and four points above the Shots, who have three matches left.
Chesterfield are the runaway champions - with the six teams below them qualifying for the play-offs with an EFL place at stake.