HALESOWEN referee Andy Hendley decided to abandon York City’s away game at Luton Town on Saturday to avoid a player getting injured.

Hendley informed both managers of his opinion before bringing a premature end to the game in the 56th minute at Kenilworth Road.

The last action of the game had seen City midfielder Robbie Weir limp away from a midfield challenge and the Midlands official said: “The players’ safety was of paramount importance.

“It was my decision to call the game off but both managers were in agreement. Luton did a really good job to get the game to go ahead despite the frost and snow and the pitch was fine to start with.

“It was okay under foot and the snow had been swept off the lines well. But, as the game went on, the snow got worse.

“The first 45 minutes were fine but, after half-time, the ball wasn’t moving as freely and visibility wasn’t great.”

Like Luton manager Richard Money, Hendley also felt it was right to try to get the game played despite the advance warnings of snow falls.

He said: “We all know what forecasts are like. They’re not always accurate and I have been looking at them since Wednesday.

“It was predicted to only come in as far as Birmingham this morning but that obviously changed and the weather got worse.”