Cowdenbeath v Hearts postponed as pitch freezes

Cowdenbeath's Central Park pitch has fallen victim to the weather. Picture: SNS

The Tynecastle outfit were fully expected to take advantage of Rangers’ slip-up against Queen of the South on Friday night when they faced face Cowdenbeath, who have lost five of their previous six matches. However, with parts of the Central Park pitch, which had been covered overnight, still frozen at 11.30 yesterday morning, referee Calum Murray – in the presence of Hearts’ director of football Craig Levein and Cowdenbeath manager Jimmy Nicholl – ruled the game should not go ahead.

It will now be played on Tuesday 23 December with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Hearts head coach Neilson said: “I’m obviously disappointed that the game won’t go ahead. The lads have worked hard all week to get ready for this game, but with parts of the pitch proving dangerous then I believe the right decision has been made to call the game off. I feel for the fans as well, as they were due to turn up in the numbers today – as they have all season – but hopefully they will still come and cheer us on when the game is rearranged.”

Nicholl said: “It was the right decision. The pitch was perfect, apart from the goal area. There was no give in it and it would have been dangerous, especially for the goalkeepers.

The League 2 match between Elgin City and Berwick Rangers was also postponed.

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