THE cold snap has taken its toll on today's football fixtures, with just one match surviving.
Confirmed as postponed due to a frozen pitch is the Northern Premier League West match for 1874 Northwich at Ramsbottom United, as well as the delayed Macron Cup third-round clash between Barnton and Bacup Borough at Townfield.
Instead, 1874 Northwich and Barnton made fast arrangements to play each other in a friendly on an artificial surface in Middlewich but that facility has now been closed because of the conditions so that fixture is off as well.
⚠️ Middlewich 3G is closing - friendly OFF. https://t.co/WdbN4zcSiI
— 1874 Northwich (@1874Northwich) January 21, 2023
A 10am pitch inspection took place at the U Lock It Stadium for the encounter between Witton Albion and Prescot Cables, with the decision being a further inspection at noon ahead of the scheduled kick-off of 3pm.
Ground staff and volunteers cleared snow and ice off the pitch yesterday and rolled out the covers yesterday afternoon to give the game a chance of going ahead.
But the match referee's decision after the noo0n inspection is that the Witton v Prescot Cables game is off.
Match off. Albion v @PrescotCablesFC Prescot Cables FC
— Witton Albion Football Club (@WittonAlbion) January 21, 2023
Unfortunately today's match referee has called the game off.
Our thanks to the volunteers and groundstaff for a herculean effort.
Northwich Victoria are also due to host Barnoldswick Town in the Macron Cup third round on the same ground tomorrow, kick-off 2pm.
An 11.30am pitch inspection took place at Charnock Richard for the visit of Winsford United in the North West Counties Premier Division, and that game has also fallen foul of a frozen pitch.
There is one surviving fixture involving a Northwich side in the Cheshire Football League, as things stand at 1.15pm, and that's Lymm Rovers FC Res v Lostock Gralam Reserves at Lymm Leisure Centre, kick-off 2pm.
Meanwhile in rugby union, Northwich's home clash with Stockport is off, while Winnington Park's match at Bowdon is still on (as at 1.15pm).
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