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Trophy ties postponed after damage to field

Venue unavailable: Goose Gosling Field can not be played on due to damage by Hurricane Humberto

BAA officials are working hard to have the ground ready for its first games of the season, after Hurricane Humberto forced a second double-header to be postponed there in four days because of pitch damage.

Goose Gosling Field was due to host a Dudley Eve Trophy double-header tonight, but the Bermuda Football Association was advised that the pitch is still not playable, after Saturday night’s league double-header was also called off.

“Unfortunately, the synthetic surface was damaged when, during Hurricane Humberto, one of our bleachers was somersaulted on to the pitch due to the high winds,” explained Mike McGrath, the BAA president.

“The bleacher has torn the underlying surface in several places and, due to this, we have had to close that section of the pitch.

The damaged area is not too large but cannot be used to avoid any additional stress on the tears.

“Our superb groundstaff have repairs in hand, but due to the products used for the repair having a short shelf life, we are not able to hold a large stock of them. They have been ordered from overseas and are expected to arrive shortly.

“Hopefully, the repairs will be possible before the weekend. Thankfully the storms following Humberto seem to be dissipating which should allow the arrival of the necessary supplies and for the repairs to be carried out quickly.”

Robin Hood, whose opening match with North Village was called off on Saturday, are now due to open their league on Sunday with another home match against Somerset Trojans. Boulevard’s scheduled match against PHC on Saturday night is also doubtful.

The Dudley Eve Trophy double-header tonight, would have seen Boulevard playing Robin Hood and PHC taking on X-Roads to decide the remaining semi-final places.

“Obviously, the storm damage has impacted the games, but we hope to be back on track very soon,” said McGrath who is also the president of the Corona League which was launched ten years ago in 2009.

“The Corona League have decided to push back their schedule a week rather than to try to make up the games during what is a busy season and are looking to start the season with the Coronita Charity Cup on October 4. However, this will be confirmed shortly at their league launch.”

n The First Division match between Young Men’s Social Club and Vasco on October 6 has been switched from Police Field to Bernard Park.