Skip to content

Toppled trees force football fixture postponement

Newton Stewart FC A tree toppled over and hanging over a football pitchNewton Stewart FC
A tree fell through a perimeter fence and was left hanging over the pitch

Toppled trees have forced the postponement of a match in Scottish football's fifth tier on player and spectator safety grounds.

Newton Stewart were scheduled to host Gretna 2008 at Blairmount Park in the Lowland League West but the club posted pictures of the scale of the problem being faced.

One tree had caused significant damage to a perimeter fence and was lying over the pitch.

The club said it was being removed but it needed to get a professional assessment of other trees nearby with high winds expected throughout the day.

Newton Stewart FC A tree toppled over onto a football pitchNewton Stewart FC
Safety checks will be carried out at the ground

The area around the ground has seen "significant damage" in the past few days due to storms sweeping across the country.

The club warned anyone heading up to the area that it might be unsafe until a proper assessment was carried out.

At the weekend fallen trees blocked the entrance to the ground and now more have come down next to the pitch.

The one overhanging the pitch has been removed but further assessment will be carried out by experts to see if there is a risk of further damage.

Newton Stewart FC An area of cleared football pitchNewton Stewart FC
The tree was removed but further checks are being carried out