MANAGER John Snape insisted Worcester City could have no regrets over gambling on the elements after Saturday’s match was postponed less than an hour before kick-off.

A local referee deemed the Victoria Ground surface unplayable at 11am inspection but City officials opted against a postponing the home clash with Coventry Sphinx in the hope that frozen areas would thaw in time.

Match referee James Lunn arrived just after 1.30pm and immediately began assessing the corner of the ground with uncovered terracing at the end before moving up the touchline on the clubhouse side.

Most of the pitch was soft with the last bits of ice melting but some of the edges, particularly in the corner nearest the main block of turnstiles, remained firm under foot.

After much deliberation with management and officials of both clubs, Lunn ruled out the prospect of play partly due to concerns over the taking of corners from the worst-affected area.

It left some fans unhappy over wasted trips but Snape explained the call had been made with the best of intentions.

“There were conversations in the morning and in fairness to the match officials it was about the safety of the players. I totally understand and respect that,” said Snape.

“Another referee came down with us at 11am and the frozen areas were much bigger than when the match referee arrived, especially on the one side and in the goal mouths.

“The referee (at 11am) still felt it was not fit in his opinion but that we could leave it. With us knowing how the sun comes around at Bromsgrove we did that and asked the match officials to come in early to look at the pitch.

“Having looked at it since (the match officials arrived) I found it very surprising that it was called off. I thought it was in great nick considering the weather we have had and all credit to the ground staff at Bromsgrove for working so hard on it.

“We were very disappointed for it to be called off when it was.”

Asked whether City could regret not following the advice of the first match official, Snape replied: “We took the stance because 90 per cent of the pitch was playable when it was first inspected.

“We wanted the game on and spoke to Coventry Sphinx, they were very happy to travel and wanted to play.

“Speaking to their manager and players, and our lads as well, everyone still wanted to play even when it got called off.

“We were left in the hands of the official who felt there would have been a safety issue. I am disappointed with that, we would still have played it even if it meant waiting until 4 o'clock."