Bala Town's scheduled Cymru North fixture away to Penrhyncoch was postponed last Saturday due to unsafe pitch conditions. This decision came as the Football Association of Wales issued new interim guidance for clubs on assessing hard playing surfaces after a prolonged dry summer.
The FAW stressed a safety-first approach, highlighting the duty of care for everyone involved in the game. The guidance states that a pitch which is rock-hard and increases the risk of impact injuries must be evaluated with the same seriousness as a frozen or waterlogged surface.
Match officials, along with the home and away team managers, retain the final authority on matchday to decide if a pitch is safe to play on under the laws of the game. The association noted that local authorities and venue owners have the primary responsibility for determining if public facilities are open and fit for use.
The guidance also includes advice on maintaining grass pitches during extended dry weather. Bala Town's postponed match will need to be rescheduled, affecting the early-season rhythm in the Cymru North.
This proactive move by the FAW aims to prevent severe joint trauma, concussions, and turf burns that can occur on excessively dry surfaces. The club's focus now shifts to preparing for their next scheduled league encounter.
