Bullnose Morris and Donnington players were left kicking their heels after the referee called off their Premier Division clash, due to safety fears over one of the goalposts,.

Referee Brian Proffitt, who used to play for Thame United, decided to call the game off as he made his routine inspection just before the start.

This season and last, the Oxfordshire FA has sent out a flier advising clubs to check their goals, following a number of incidents nationally where people have been injured or killed by faulty goalposts.

But the chairman of Morris Motors Athletic and Sport Social Club, from whom Bullnose rent the ground, Tom Doliamie, said the decision had been "comical."

He added: "We've been using those goals for seven years and that goal has not been changed.

"He had a problem with some of the nuts and bolts on one of the goals. If they were protruding into the goal, then fair enough, but they weren't - they are behind the upright.

"I couldn't understand the logic in what the referee did. It was comical. The conditions weren't nice, but the guys wanted to play - it's a shame it was called off.

"But I've had an expert to look at the goals and it should be sorted by Saturday."

The league's fixtures secretary, Alan Thomas said: "They are portable goals which are wheeled across the pitch.

"The referee was concerned that the safety of the players was at risk because the nuts and bolts holding the wheels on were protruding.

"Although, we've never had any problems with those goals, but we stand by the referee's decision.

"We will have to look into it as a committee."

The league's referees appointment secretary, John Chappell, said: "It wasn't just the bolts, there were other bits and pieces he was concerned about.

"We are backing him 100 per cent. We had an assessor at the game and he agreed with what Brian did."

The referee refused to comment. No new date has yet been fixed for the game.

Tony Cuizo bagged a brace as Wheatley marched through to the second round of the County Junior Cup with a 6-1 win over Union Street. Dan Smith, Mark Wingfield and Tom Shephard got the others.

North Oxford beat Golden Ball 7-0, thanks to Martin Brock (2), Marvyn Reid, Paul Turner, substitute Alex Reid, Alex Bird and Daniel Toma.

Real Islip won 2-1 at home to Bullnose Morris Res with goals from Adam Cooke and Phill Stokes.

Shane Mallas hit a hat-trick as Fairview beat Tetsworth 3-1 at home. Craig White replied.