Published: Tuesday, 19th January, 2010 2:00pm

Late call-off foils Sons' friendly game

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Chapman sees red after Brechin match is postponed

DUMBARTON boss Jim Chapman was seething after the Brechin game was called off on Saturday morning - meaning they missed out on an arranged bounce game.

A pitch inspection was called at 9am at Glebe Park and the match had to be scrapped after heavy rain left the playing area waterlogged.

The Dumbarton team had a behind-closed-doors game scheduled at Toryglen for noon if their clash with Brechin was called off. But the opponents had to pull out because of the delayed postponement.

Chapman reckoned the match had no chance of

going ahead and should have been postponed on

Friday afternoon.

He blasted: "I was very angry and disappointed that the match was called off so late on Saturday. We had alternative plans if the match was called off because we were meant to play a bounce match at Toryglen.

"But the team we were meant to play pulled out because they weren't sure if we were to play them or not.

"The bounce game was to be played at 12 o'clock and the match was called off at nine so it was too late for them to change their plans.

"I think the game should have been called off on Friday.

"There was still frost on the pitch and heavy rain was forecast so there was little chance of it going ahead anyway.

"Sure enough, the pitch was flooded so I was angry because we missed out on Saturday."

With no game on Saturday, the Sons players head into a tough league clash with Second Division pacesetters Cowdenbeath without any competitive action since December 15.

But the late call off meant Chapman could look at their opponents on Saturday in their 2-2 draw against East Fife.

He said: "The only positive to come out of the Brechin game being called off was that I could watch Cowdenbeath at East Fife.

"They are a strong side and they looked dangerous against East Fife.

"I saw what Cowdenbeath pose and we will need to restrict Gareth Wardlaw, who scored twice.

"We won't want to give him any chance at goal and they also have good width and pace with Scott McBride and Paul McQuade.

"They are a good attacking team, but we have players who can hurt them.

"I just hope the players can be fit enough so I will make sure they are very competitive in training this week."