No need for a Barney after FA Trophy call-off, says Holleran

With fans already inside the ground, the decision was taken to postpone the game, with high winds prompting safety fears.

The teams will now reconvene at Dales Lane next Tuesday for the chance to entertain Hednesford Town in the next round and despite the inconvenience, Holleran said the referee had little option but to call off the match.

“It’s not ideal, but it was the right decision without a shadow of a doubt,” said Holleran.

“Imagine the worst winds up at Leamington and times it by three.

“There was a bit of a scaffolding stand and a desk up there and when we came out for the warm-up the desk just blew off into the middle of the pitch.

“The perimeter fences were being blown over and there was an issue with a canopy.

“The game could probably have been played but the safety of the spectators was the issue, they could have been hit by flying debris.

“However, whoever had won the toss would probably have been 5-0 up at half-time.

“There was a galeforce wind coming down the pitch and it would have been a farce.”

While Leamington have been focusing on the Trophy, Poole Town have taken advantage to open up a four-point gap at the top of the Southern Premier League.

Redditch have also leapfrogged Brakes but with 81 points still to play for, Holleran is not too disheartened.

“It’s not all doom and gloom,” he said. “We’re neatly positioned.

“We need to cement our place in the top three or four.

“I’d love a gap to have appeared between the play-off places and the rest at Christmas and then we can have a good go at it.”

Tuesday’s postponement means Jack Edwards’ suspension carries over to tomorrow’s league clash at home to Histon.

However, Joe Halsall returns after being cup-tied against Rushall, while Richard Taundry should be back to fitness after a groin injury.

Connor Gudger is also making good progress but tomorrow’s game comes just too early for him.