Stafford Rangers v AFC Telford United OFF
Shrewsbury Town v Bury OFF
The snow which fell what must now be 10 days ago is still on the ground, Stafford continues to be gripped by freezing temperatures and the seems to be no end in sight to this arctic-like cold snap. So, it was no surprise there will be no action today at Marston Road where I was planning to watch the home game against AFC Telford United in the company of my Dad and Laurence Reade.
With no fixtures scheduled today below Blue Square Bet North, my long-term plan was to make a second visit of the season to Marston Road. However, a news item add as early as Tuesday on Rangers’ official website told of a planned inspection:
BOXING DAY - PRE MATCH INSPECTION
Re AFC TELFORD HOME MATCH ON BOXING DAY.
‘In view of the current ground conditions and the long range weather forecast a preliminary ground inspection will be carried out at 3pm on Friday 24th December.
It should be stressed that this is a preliminary inspection and a final decision may not be made at this time.’
Come Thursday, the game was described as being in ‘serious doubt’ and the aforementioned Christmas Eve inspection came to an inevitable conclusion:
Boxing Day Match Off
Following a pitch inspection today, the pitch is still frozen and covered in snow and unfortunately the match will not be able to go ahead.
My thoughts then turned to League action and a short list of two games: Reading v Bristol City and Shrewsbury Town v Bury. To be honest in these conditions, it didn’t make any sense to make a 280 mile round trip to the Madejski Stadium especially but Shrewsbury’s Greenhous Meadow Stadium was a short journey along the M54. Better than that, when I checked their website yesterday evening, the game looked set to go ahead with a precautionary inspection planned for this morning. Could it survive after an incredibly cold Christmas Day night?
In a word ‘no’! At 9-05 am this morning I heard on 5Live that there were ‘a couple more games off: in League One Exeter v Swindon Town and League Two Shrewsbury Town v Bury’.
Shrewsbury’s website confirmed the news:
‘After a monumental effort by the ground staff and volunteers the Referee has deemed the Towns game against Bury to be non playable, conditions have not significantly improved to ensure supporters safety in and around the ground.
‘Despite the efforts of everyone involved when the groudstaff [sic] started to take the covers off early this morning the pitch froze as soon as it was uncovered. Referee Rob Lewis was at the Greenhous Meadow as scheduled and with temperatures now [sic s/b not] forecast to rise during the day he had to [sic s/b no] hesitation in postponing the game.’
So, what is left on a 15th consecutive day without football? For start with, enjoy the fact that England finished day one of the fourth test on 157-0 after bowling Australia out for 98. It was sheer delight to be up during the night watching the Aussie innings disintegrate. And, a trip to the cinema to watch Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in Digital 3-D.
Prospects don’t look any brighter for tomorrow either. I’ve got a family gathering in Bristol to attend, and can’t possible see my escape route of a game at either Portishead, Hengrove or something on in the Somerset Senior League taking place. We can hope!
