ESSEX Spartans’ British American Football Association South Football Conference Division Two clash with East Essex Sabres was postponed due to ‘circumstances well beyond the club’s control’.

The two sides were due to meet in a local derby on Sunday.

But the pitch at Thurrock Rugby Club, who the Spartans groundshare with, was deemed unplayable.

When asked on Twitter why the eagerly-anticipated clash had been called off, Spartans said: “Unfortunately the grass has grown over the markings, the groundsman is abroad, and I believe we were not allowed to do anything ourselves to fix it.

“I know we asked to fix the pitch and markings ourselves, but our offers were declined.

“Our pitch was not ready when we arrived and no one from the ground had informed us prior.

“We tried to rectify it but were not allowed to.

“We did everything possible to make it happen but it was well beyond our control.”

The derby is set to be re-scheduled, with the possibility of the re-arranged fixture taking place at the Sabres’ home of the Deanes School, Thundersley.

The decision on when and where the re-arranged Essex derby should be played will be taken by the British American Football Association.

And Sabres defensive co-ordinator Kirk Beacham is hoping that the British American Football Assocation will make a decision on the game sooner rather than later.

Beacham said: “We are hoping that the game gets rescheduled but we have got to leave it with the league.

“They will either re-schedule the fixture or award us the game.”

The Sabres were looking to record their first win of the season at Essex Spartans.

Lee Joseph’s side have lost all three of their fixtures - including an opening day defeat to their Essex rivals - since being accepted into British American Football Association South Football Conference Division Two.

Now the Sabres will have to wait until June 18, when they face an away trip to Wembley Stallions, to return to the field in search of their first triumph.

But the Sabres will be in for a tough match, as the Stallions are currently top of the standings.

Meanwhile, the Spartans are away to East Kent Mavericks, who are second in the division, on Sunday.