Town clash called off 45 minutes before kick off

Thatcham Town’s Southern League Division One South fixture with Bideford on Tuesday night was postponed after a fire broke out in one of the floodlights at Waterside Park shortly before kick-off.

The Kingfishers were due to host Bideford, who had made the long trip up from Devon, when the power went out at the ground at 7pm, 45 minutes before kick-off.

According to one supporter, the lights went off in the clubhouse, then came back on and then the fire broke out.

The only damage to the ground was to one of the eight floodlight pylons on the side of the ground with the main stand, and the fire service was quickly on the scene.

Thatcham chairman Paul Ayres told Football in Berkshire the situation was ‘unbelievable’.

He said: “This season feels cursed – we’ve had so many postponements for various reasons, but never did we think we’d see a floodlight fail and catch fire.

“A huge thanks to the fire brigade for their quick response in extinguishing the fire.

“Luckily, everyone is safe, but unfortunately, this is another unexpected cost for the club.”

Also on Tuesday night, Hungerford Town’s bid for a play-off spot in the Premier South stuttered as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poole Town at Bulpit Lane.

Going into the game, in-form Crusaders had been on an unbeaten run of nine games, winning six games on the trot.

The home side started brightly, creating a flurry of chances via long balls into the box and piling bodies into the box.

And their pressure payed off 15 minutes in after Poole’s Jam Smith gave away a penalty which Louis McGory dispatched – his third goal in four days.

Poole struggled to create chances in the first half, but despite Hungerford’s pressure, the hosts were unable to find a second before the break.

Poole stepped up their game after the interval and Crusaders were forced onto the back foot.

And they levelled when great work from Kristian Campbell set up Ezio Touray, who had only been drafted into the starting XI becaus of an injury to Sam Ashton in the warm-up, headed home in the 60th minute.

Hungerford have another cucial clsh on Saturday when they travel to ninth-placed Sholing.