Bad light stops play as Longlevens vs Raiders abandoned due to power cut

Longlevens’ opening fixture of the 2024/25 Hellenic Premier season was abandoned on Wednesday night, after a power cut in injury-time.

10-man Worcester Raiders were 1-0 up at the time as Saw Mills, the Ibis Hotel next door and parts of the local area were rendered powerless for approximately an hour.

The match officials waited until just after 22:00, nearly half an hour later, before abandoning the contest.

Earlier in the game, Raiders were reduced to ten following a heated first half – resulting in Matt Klich being sent off for a suspected headbutt on Jack Beardsell.

At the time, the game had seen a couple of flash points as both sets of players tried to adapt to very warm conditions.

A number of fairly soft yellow cards, including for Ollie Long and Raiders’ Carrick Hill, just raised the temperature on the pitch even more, culminating with Klich’s departure and Jack Cresswell being sinbinned soon after.

But a goalless first half saw both sides create a number of great opportunities on a crucial opening fixture for both.

Fin Gwillim stung the palms of Raiders keeper Charlie Emery inside four minutes, before Kane Winman made a great one on one stop to keep the deadlock sealed, five minutes later.

As the sides settled and had a much needed drinks break, Gwillim nearly caught Emery out, but his 40 yard effort sailed just over.

Worcester Raiders had a number of balls into the box, but some last ditch defending from Longlevens saw their shots on goal kept down to a minimum.

With Raiders down to nine for the final five minutes of the half, Longlevens went close to taking advantage, but Alex Gayner saw an effort saved, whilst Joe Westrip and Shaun O’Connor’s long range efforts flew just over.

The visitors made two changes at the break, with Vanylson Silva and Toby Moran entering the field and despite being down to ten, they looked more balanced following the changes.

Gwillim dragged an effort just wide, before Dan Gayner’s header flew straight to Emery moments later, as Longlevens went in search for the opener.

But it was Worcester Raiders who would take the lead, with Jordan Stoddart nodding home after a corner was headed towards the back post.

From there, Raiders looked to try and see the game out – containing Longlevens as much as possible.

Jack Beardsell got forward but fired straight at Emery, just after the hour mark, before Emery produced a stunning save to palm over Dan Gayner’s header.

Longlevens’ final chance before the stoppage came in the 82nd minute as Dan Gayner slipped through for Gwillim, but his effort rolled agonisingly wide.

Then, with the match halfway through the six added minutes, the light’s went out with no more action to be played.

Of course, following the game, everyone is wondering what will happen next. The Hellenic League said last season that these instances are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, so whether the game will need to be replayed remains to be seen.

Longlevens’ attentions now turn to Saturday and the visit of Winslow United in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. Kick off at Saw Mills, 15:00

Longlevens: Winman, Beardsell, Kelly, Long, Parker, Westrip, Williams, O’Connor, A Gayner, D Gayner, Gwillim

Subs: Haswell, Knight, Chamberlain, Rose, Byard

Worcester Raiders: Emery, Ferron, Stoddart, Dyde, Cottril, Hill, Olaloko, Cresswell, Deards, Klich, Whitton

Subs: Hayes, Silva, Manning, Moran, Edwards

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Fin Gwillim (Longlevens)