I heard today that although Thorns home park was off and they offered to reverse this important fixture, it was a no go?? (Ayr v Killie game a poss!!!)

Worse still..........Clark Drive put in a protest after Thorn agreed to play an AWAY league fixture v Postal! Reason being....Thorn having/gaining an unfair advantage....

PLEASE EXPLAIN??

Worth a debate surely!

Can think of a couple of reasons why they put in a protest. Suspended player using the league fixture to be available for the west game? Gives Thorn a game while Clark Drive dont, keeps their players from getting rusty whereas Clark Drive haven't played for a few week now I don't think.

Also, Clark Drives park might have been unplayable aswell with the weather down here yesterday. Having nothing to do with Clark Drive I am merely guessing though.

That's an absolute disgrace mate. I don't know anything about either team so I'm totally neutral but if Thorn's home pitch was unplayable and they offered to switch the tie and give up home advantage they obviously weren't at it so why should they not be allowed to play an away game?

Hopefully the powers that be do the right thing and boot this "protest" into touch. Sounds like desperation from Clark Drive.

Sometimes the facts can get in the way of a good story XXXL.

Facts: 1. Clark Drive were never asked to switch the tie. 2. Clark Drive's park was unplayable anyway. 3. Clark Drive did not lodge a protest about a possible Thorn alternative match. 4. The possibility of a Postal v Thorn league match was ruled out by the long established SAFA policy that while an away club with a postponed national or district cup tie can get an alternative fixture, a home club cannot.

Put that big spoon back in the drawer XXXL......lol

You know me too well auld timer!!

If they didn't ask for the tie to be switched then fair enough I can understand them not being allowed to play another game. If they did ask for a switch (even if Clark Drive's park was unplayable) maybe it's the long established policy that needs looked at.

Morrist, As you say due to the rules (which need to be looked at) unfortunately Postal and Thorn were play another league game as Thorn were the home team, We at Postal contacted all teams in our league to see if they could play us on Saturday as we had a 3G park booked - Thorn kindly agreed to this not thinking their would be an issue as they were now playing away from home, however we at Postal were advised by our League that someone noted this and complained from the Ayrshire AFA.

For the record no Thorn Players or Postal players had any suspensions hanging over them thus freeing them up to play in respective west and scottish ties next week.

Surely some discretion should be used in cases like this as some teams including us have only played 3 or 4 games in the league maximum due to Cup commitments and postponements due to the weather.

We ended up with two teams who were up for a top of the table clash on Friday night either training or playing a friendly match on the Saturday.

There is no logic in this.

Budandavodka - There was no complaint from the Ayrshire AFA. I contacted the SAFL Match Secretary in my role of West Cup Match Sec. I reminded him of the SAFA policy on not allowing the home club to get an alternative fixture.
I don't have any discretion on this and frankly I'm not seeking it. I don't want to get embroiled in arguments with clubs or leagues as to when the ruling should apply and when it shouldn't. If there is to be any change from the existing position then its up to the clubs and leagues who want to change it to deal with Hampden on it.

Sounds like something The Drive would do. Very shady bunch! Stinks of desperation and I for one think they should be kicked out of every competition and possibly even disbanded.

Thanks for bringing this heinous crime to our attention XXXL. Definitely warrants a discussion.

I agree with fatguyattheback re Clarke Drive, I'm not one to spread rumors but I have it on good authority that one of their players spends a lot of time hanging around a local school trying to engage with kids half his age, so you are correct they are a shady bunch lol

Morris, just a question. If we had played the game against Thorn, before you brought the rule to our attention, would ourselves or Thorn have faced any sanctions? Or would the result just have been voided?

Haha things like this crack me up. So certain teams don't want to play within the rules that they have agreed to even though they maybe don't know the rule but surely somebody in the SAFL knows the rule exists. I think Thorn need to realise that Morris giving the SAFL match sec a gentle reminder has probably kept them in the West but saying that I think it is certain individuals trying to stir it up even though they aren't connected with the clubs involved.

Thorn would not have been put out of the West cup if the match with Postal had gone ahead. Maybe the SAFA would have had a few things to say to their league however. If the match had gone ahead I imagine the result would have counted.

Rubble - thanks for giving me a laugh with your final sentence. Of course we all know you would never stir things up over something your own club wasn't involved in.....lmao.

Morris- haha I would never dream of doing such a thing. I do actually agree with a few people as I think the rule is a bit of poopy one if I'm being honest. It would be different if they were playing a home league tie but this clearly wasn't so I don't see what harm it would've done.

Morrist, thanks for clearing this up - appreciated.

I however wasn't seeking discretion from you on this or looking to get embroiled into an argument with you.

I think rules obviously need to be looked at, i don't understand the logic in that it makes any difference whether you are a home team or an away team in domestic cups, if the cup game you are to take part in home or away is off and you are offered an "Away" local league or cup game i don't see the issue in allowing clubs to play it.

As you say something would have to changed nationally with the rules to amend this ruling.

Cheers

where is this game getting played this week?

Been switched to 3G with 3pm kick-off at Seedhill, Paisley

cheers

Game called off, flooded 3G pitch!!