It turns out size does matter. Especially when it comes to soccer goals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Two Canberra men's premier league games were postponed on Saturday - the West Canberra Wanderers-O'Connor Knights clash due to COVID-19, which could become a common occurrence this season.
But hopefully the other reason was an embarrassing one off for Capital Football - the goals provided for the Canberra Olympic-Canberra Croatia game were 1.23 metres too narrow after an eagle-eyed match official noticed something didn't quite look right at O'Connor Enclosed.
Hopefully the mistake's rectified in time for next weekend's fixtures at O'Connor given it's going to be hard enough rescheduling matches postponed due to COVID-19.
Capital Football chief executive Chris Gardiner took full responsibility and said all goals would be checked during the week to ensure it didn't happen again.
"The deferral of an NPL game because of non-compliant goals at the ground was very regrettable," he told The Canberra Times.
"As the competition administrator, I accept responsibility and apologise to the fans.
"Fortunately, because of the professionalism of the referees at the match the problem was spotted and it didn't affect a match outcome."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
It's only taken until the opening game of the premier league season for COVID-19 to rear it's very ugly head.
The Wanderers called for the game against O'Connor to be called off under the regulations that state if four or more players are ruled out due to the virus it can be postponed.
But Knights coach Miro Trninic questioned the rule, given first grade teams had squads of 23, while their under-23s had 17 players to choose from - making a pool of 40.
He felt that was more than enough to cover as few as four players, pointing to the fact they had seven players out - two due to COVID and the rest through injury - yet they still wanted to play.
The under-23s game between the two clubs went ahead.
Trninic felt having players out provided development opportunities for younger players and he wasn't sure why the Wanderers were "scared" of the Knights.
The postponement ruined the Knights' return to the top flight of ACT soccer.
It's been 13 years since they were last there, with the small consolation their return will now be played at their home ground of O'Connor - provided the goals are big enough.
Well it was their home from 1997-2009, but in recent years it's been taken over by Olympic - O'Connor's opponents next week.
Trninic hoped they could once again make it their own after only playing one game there last season.
"It is disappointing. I can't understand the regulations and rules," he said.
"Every first team is allowed to register 23 players and if it's 4-5 missing, what's the problem? We've still got 18 players - and plus under-23s.
"The under-23s are playing today and the first team is not playing. That's absolutely a non-football decision."
AT A GLANCE
Monaro Panthers 3 bt Belconnen United 0
Cooma Tigers FC 2 dw Gungahlin United 2
Canberra Olympic v Canberra Croatia - Postponed
West Canberra Wanderers v O'Connor Knights - Postponed