SNOW and freezing temperatures have affected sporting fixtures in Northwich for a second successive weekend.

Northwich Victoria’s scheduled home match against Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Evo-Stik League’s Premier Division was postponed on Friday – a third in seven days for Andy Preece’s men.

They are next due in action at Nantwich Town in the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup on Tuesday night.

Vics’ neighbours Witton Albion will have to wait a little longer for an opportunity to avenge their FA Cup exit at Mossley after heavy snowfall left the hosts’ Seel Park pitch unplayable.

“There was a six-inches layer on the surface,” reported Albion club secretary Graham Shuttleworth.

Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division promotion hopefuls Winsford United, similarly seeking revenge for an FA Cup defeat at Ramsbottom United, were also left without a match for the same reason.

Elsewhere Middlewich Town and Eagle Sports must fix an alternative date to play their JB Parker Challenge Cup last eight clash.

Rugby union has been hit too.

Northwich, victors in five of their past half dozen matches in North One West, had to postpone their home date with Wigton at Moss Farm.

“The pitch is frozen solid,” said chairman Sam Naylor.

“It’s so frustrating as the past two weekends we had hoped to pick up maximum points.”

Instead they sit in sixth position in the table, 12 points adrift of a play-offs place.

Over the fence Winnington Park’s scheduled league encounter with Ormskirk in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One was called off on Friday.

“The forecast for Saturday is marginally better but the temperature won’t be high enough to thaw out the ground and make it playable,” said Park chairman Richard Elliot.

Postponed matches must now be squeezed into an already-crowded calendar.