A CHARD football team could not play their home fixture at the weekend because the pitch wasn’t ready on time.

A supporter called into the News on Monday disappointed that the clash between Chard Rangers and Thorncombe FC did not take place at Jocelyn Park on Saturday.

Instead, the game was moved to Thorncombe, where a double-header was organised – as a fixture was also being played between the reserve sides.

The grass had been cut by the town council, but had not been raked away from the pitch, a task which the Rangers side estimated would take the best part of five hours to arrange with their playing squad.

Darren Murphy, joint chairman at Chard Rangers FC and Chard United manager Steve Scriven wanted to thank Thorncombe for their hospitality at short notice.

Darren said: “It was an 11th hour coming together – everything was called off.

“League secretary Bob Brunt was refereeing both games and, with Thorncombe’s help we were happy to get the games underway – there was a lot of legwork.”

The problems come following a lengthy battle for new changing rooms for the two teams which regularly play at the park.

Darren added: “We are in talks with the council and are trying to get to grips with the grass cutting schedule.

“It just adds insult to injury with the whole changing room situation and the talks that are going on at the moment.”

Terry Powell, operations manager at Chard Town Council, said: “The situation arose because of the adverse weather we have been having which has impacted on all council’s grass cutting schedules.

“The grass was identified as needing a cut – and we hadn’t received a fixture list – there was miscommunication on both sides and you have to remember the park is a community facility.

“We will now aim to cut the grass on Mondays depending on the weather, if not on Tuesdays and if not then, not again in the week unless the teams request it.”