CHARD Town have decided not to appeal despite being left "disgusted" by the Western League forcing them to replay their abandoned match with Westbury United.

Senior figures at the club have expressed their fury at the league's decision, which comes after the original clash between the two sides on September 16 was abandoned with 30 seconds of normal time to play, at which point Chard were 4-2 up.

Had the match reached 90 minutes the result would have stood, but the Robins have now been told a replay will be required.

The club's committee met last night (Tuesday) to discuss their options, but have chosen not to appeal in light of the financial implications and the likelihood such an appeal would be unsuccessful.

Robins chairman Lyndsey Gage said: "We looked at every avenue available to us but decided it wasn't worth potentially putting the club in debt for little chance of success.

"If I could have afforded it I would have loved to take it on but, as frustrated as I am, the future of the club matters more than the three points."

Responding to the enforced replay, Town manager Paul Down said: “It is all very unsatisfactory.

“It sets a precedent, as when winter arrives the pitches will start getting heavy and boggy, so it gives an opportunity for teams to try and get matches abandoned.

“We sent an e-mail to the league detailing our queries and received a one-line response. I’m not sure who thought that would be satisfactory, but I certainly don’t.

“I just can’t understand the league’s attitude. They say they are bound by the rules, but the rules give them discretion in circumstances such as these. It has been dealt with very poorly.”

Regarding the original abandonment, Down said: “The referee deemed conditions too dangerous, though there had been no injuries up to that point.

“There was standing water on the pitch, but it had stopped raining at the time of the abandonment.

“He had given no indication that he was about to call it off and did not consult with the managers or our groundsman, who could have told him the water would disappear - which it had done 20 minutes after full-time.”

Gage added: “I am gutted by it all and disgusted by how we have been treated.

“I feel the league are hiding behind the rules and we have had no proper explanation as to why the match should be replayed.

“Their manager has appeared on the league’s own podcast twice since the game, but we have been given no chance to explain things from our point of view.

The Western League are yet to respond to a request for comment.