Donawa surprised by postponement delay
Justin Donawa admits he was “surprised” that Darlington’s home match against Farsley Celtic went ahead last weekend amid the outbreak of Covid-19.
The threat of coronavirus has led to drastic measures put in place by sporting authorities, with the Premier League and the Football League electing to postpone their seasons last Friday.
However, the National League allowed matches to take place last weekend, a decision which was roundly criticised by many within the game. Due to suspected cases of the virus and players in isolation, three National League matches and four National League North games were eventually called off.
Darlington’s fixture against Farsley, however, was played in front of a crowd of 1,318 — up 135 on their previous outing at Black Meadows — in which the visiting side won 4-2.
“I was a bit surprised that our game went on this past weekend,” Donawa, 23, told The Royal Gazette.
“A few other games in our league had to be postponed and even the leagues below had been postponed, so it was surprising.”
Donawa, who has scored nine goals for Darlington this term, said he welcomed the decision to postpone the National League until at least Friday, April 3.
“It’s been a strange few weeks or so in regards to Covid-19 and what it will do to all sports, not just in football in England,” the Bermuda winger added.
“There will definitely be a weird few months ahead but whatever it takes to see out the peak and majority of this virus, we need to to it.
“There’s quite a bit of social tension over this side. However, I’m just trying to be as careful as possible throughout this period.”
Another National League North match that went ahead as scheduled last weekend was Spennymoor Town’s 4-0 home victory over Hereford in which Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve made his league debut.
“I didn’t bother worrying about the other leagues being suspended while we still played,” Eve said. “My main focus was on my own 90 minutes.”