Due to the atrocious weather and traffic problems it took referee Arwel Jones five and a half hours to travel by car from his Caernarfon home.

He did not arrive at the ground until 85 minutes before the 7.00pm kick-off.

Within minutes he had pronounced the waterlogged Penydarren Park pitch unplayable only an hour before the scheduled start.

City players were already at the stadium and Merthyr player-manager Keith Walker questioned the wisdom of the FAW Premier Cup organisers appointing a referee who had to make such a long journey, accompanied by the fourth official who came from Anglesey.

“I find it bizarre that the Premier Cup administrators should send a referee from North Wales during the wettest spell on record when matches are always likely to be in doubt,” said Walker.

“There had been torrential rain since mid-afternoon and the game would probably have been called off at 3.00pm had an inspection been made then.

“But Mr Jones was the only person who was empowered to make that decision.”

Merthyr had no quibble about paying the match officials but secretary Anthony Hughes said, “It does seem illogical in December to put a referee from North Wales in charge of a South Wales cup-tie.

“With the amount of rain water on the pitch which was like a lake it seemed obvious the match could not be played but it could not be called off until the match referee finally arrived to make his decision just before

6.00pm.”

It will not be possible to re-arrange the fixture until the New Year because of other commitments.

All the remaining action in last night’s FAW Premier Cup also fell victim to the weather.

Games at Bangor City, Swansea City, Barry Town and Llanelli were called off early in the day.