Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna on abandoned game at Blackburn Rovers.

After this afternoon’s Championship match at Ewood Park was abandoned, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna feels there is ‘every potential’ his side will return to Blackburn Rovers for a replay.

After a goalless first half fight in the pouring rain, the Blues were reduced to ten men shortly after the restart after Jacob Greaves pushed back Yuki Ohashi 40 yards from goal.

Ten minutes later, Darnell Furlong’s foul in the box led to Todd Cantwell’s penalty kick, which put the hosts ahead 1-0. Conditions worsened, and the action turned ludicrous, with players slipping and sliding and the ball being caught in standing water.

Referee Stephen Martin eventually halted the action in the 80th minute, and after a 25-minute pause, the decision was made to terminate the contest.

An EFL Committee must now decide whether to uphold the results, play the final 10 minutes at a later date, or conduct a full replay. “It was impossible to finish the game,” McKenna explained. “From the start of the second half, the pitch was almost unplayable.

“It was really slushy before the game started, but the ball rolled fairly well throughout the first half.

It was holding up slightly. But in the second half, the footing became too slippery to be safe, and the ball stopped moving.

It was an unavoidable decision that may perhaps have been made sooner. In the end, there were no other options.

With around 4,000 Town fans in the away end, many of whom travelled 500 miles from Suffolk, the Blues manager added: “Incredible support. I am really grateful. Even despite the downpour, they maintained their full voice to the conclusion.

“We intend to reward them, beginning next Saturday (at home against Portsmouth) and continuing in the coming matches. We’re extremely likely to return here. We hope to repay them because we sincerely appreciate their assistance.”

Town chairman Mark Ashton stated in a club social media post: “We’ll look into what we can do for the fans who travelled all the way and supported the team in such difficult circumstances.” The important thing we want to say is, “Thank you.” An EFL statement reads:

“This afternoon’s Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town was called off due to an unsuitable surface. The decision was made in consultation with both management.

“The Board will consider what action is to be taken as a result of the abandonment, in line with EFL Regulations.” Greaves’ one-game penalty is expected to continue regardless of whether the game is replayed.

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