Braintree Town manager Brad Quinton said player safety was paramount in the decision to abandon their Good Friday game against Oxford City.

Referee Ian Fissenden called a halt to the Vanarama National League encounter after 31 minutes of play at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium due to a severely waterlogged pitch.

The pitch had survived a morning inspection, but heavy and persistent rain in the hours before kick-off and during the early part of the game caused it to be abandoned.

Even at kick-off, puddles had started to form across the pitch and the ball began to roll increasingly erratically as the rain refused to relent.

With the game still locked at 0-0, Fissenden gave it until the half-hour mark, but after consultations with both captains and management teams, decided enough was enough.

And Quinton had no complaints about the referee’s call.

“We tried – both teams tried – our best to get the game on,” said the Iron boss.

“We did all we could but as the game went on the rain was getting heavier and heavier.

“You could see the puddles growing so I’ve got no complaints.

“There was no one area in particular.

“The referee said he’d do his best but he said he didn’t think we’d get it completed.

“I just said to him to do what he needed to do and make sure the players were safe.

“That’s all you can do.

“In that type of situation, it doesn’t matter if you’re winning or losing, the important thing is the players’ safety.

“The ball could hold up and two players could collide and it’s suddenly a major problem.

“I think it was the smart thing to do and I’ve no complaints.

“I’m sure Oxford had none either and we’ll go again when the game is rescheduled.”

When the game is rescheduled, the club have announced that tickets purchased for the first game will be valid for the fixture when it is rearranged in due course.

If anyone is unable to attend on the rearranged date, then they will be entitled to a full refund.

The club have said to claim a refund, ticket holders should return their ticket and name – recommended by recorded delivery – together with a stamped self-addressed envelope to: Ticket Office, Braintree Town FC, IronmongeryDirect Stadium, Clockhouse Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3DE.

The club will then issue a full repayment by cheque.