Tyne Tees Blue Square Bet Premier News

Gateshead FC Chairman Graham Wood has been speaking about what the club are doing to resolve the problems with their pitch.

Five of the Heed's games at the International Stadium have been postponed since the start of December, including tonight's Blue Square Bet Premier clash with Grimsby Town. A drainage problem has left the playing surface waterlogged.

Wood says he's hopeful the club's next game at home to Barrow in the FA Trophy can still go ahead despite the issues caused by recent rainfall.

• Sport
• Gateshead
• Football

Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood says the recent match postponements at the International Stadium have been caused by a new playing surface.

The pitch was upgraded last summer but it has not coped with the recent rainfall which has hit the North East. Wood told the club's official website:

"The new turf and the preparation immediately below is currently acting as a cap which is slowing the flow rate of rain water to the drains.

"This together with the recent record levels of rainfall has led to the pitch remaining waterlogged beyond normal time spans.

"A remedial programme to maximise the condition of the playing surface for the remainder of the current season will commence following Saturday's match with Barrow, weather permitting."

Tonight's postponed game against Grimsby is the fifth home match to have been affected since the start of December.

• Sport
• Gateshead
• Blue Square Bet Premier

Tonight's Blue Square Bet Premier clash between Gateshead and Grimsby Town has been postponed again because of a waterlogged pitch.

Gateshead said on their official website that an inspection has taken place at the International Stadium, and the surface remains unplayable due to a drainage problem. The original fixture on December 4 last year was also called-off due to an unfit pitch.

The postponement is the fifth Heed match that has fallen foul of the weather since the start of December.

• Sport
• Gateshead
• Football