Torrential weather conditions got the better of the tie at
Vicarage Road on Saturday as the match between Watford and Wigan
was abandoned due to a water-logged pitch.
As the rain poured down on Vicarage Road, two sides in poor form
looked to pick up some much-needed points at the bottom end of the
table.
Watford, looking for only their second win of the season, had lost
their last three games in a row and Wigan, who had not won in four
games were only four points above the drop zone.
Emile Heskey gave Wigan the lead midway through the first half
scoring his sixth goal for Wigan completely against the run of play
despite appeals for offside.
The equaliser came just before the first half whistle with a great
header from 20-year-old Tamas Priskin scoring his first Premiership
goal for The Hornets on his first Premiership start leaving it 1-1
at half-time.
But the rain continued to pour down in the second half of the game
with pitch conditions deteriorating all the while and speculation
growing as to whether the game should continue.
After speaking to the fourth official, referee Steve Tanner made
the decision to grind proceedings to a halt for ten minutes to see
if conditions improved
Despite the rain easing off the game was abandoned shortly after
due to a heavily water-logged pitch.
Wigan manager Paul Jewell felt the right decision was made to
abandon the game for the safety of the players, adding: "We just
couldn't continue playing in those conditions.
"I would hate to have to be talking about a serious injury to one
of my players. Both (Watford boss) Adrian Boothroyd and I were in
agreement. We did not want anyone to be hurt."
Referee Steve Tanner added "The heavens opened up today and the
game was abandoned for the players' safety.
"In our opinion the players may have been put at risk should the
game have continued.
"We decided to give it ten minutes to see if conditions cleared,
and having spoken to the grounds men they made it very clear that
the pitch would not improve.
"The decision was then made to abandon the game."
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd agreed with the referee's
decision, adding: "The players could have been at risk should the
game have continued.
"The fans pay good money to watch good football and you can't
really play good football when the ball is stuck in a puddle," he
added.