Accrington Stanley

Accrington's League One clash with Blackpool falls victim to the cold snap

Published: 02 February 2019 9:36 AM

Several events have already fallen to the cold weather but racing at Sandown goes ahead.

Accrington’s Sky Bet League One match against Blackpool has been postponed because of freezing conditions following a pitch inspection on Saturday morning.

Volunteers had been asked to turn up from 8:30am to help clear the snow from around the Wham Stadium, with the covers taken off the pitch.

However, following an inspection referee Rob Lewis said it was “unplayable due to the freezing weather overnight”, Accrington confirmed in a post on the club’s Twitter feed.

GAME OFF: Stanley’s game with @BlackpoolFC is off. Referee Rob Lewis has inspected the pitch this morning and said, despite the covers and the hard work from staff and volunteers during the week, it’s unplayable due to the freezing weather overnight. pic.twitter.com/iKLe7RVkFI

— Accrington Stanley FC (@ASFCofficial) February 2, 2019

The League Two game between Cheltenham and Cambridge was also called off on Saturday morning, with the club confirming on Twitter that “an area of the pitch has been deemed unplayable due to freezing temperatures.”

Two more games were also postponed in League Two, with Swindon’s home game against Forest Green failing to beat the weather.

And the pitch at Boundary Park for Oldham’s home game against Morecambe was deemed “unsafe” and was called off.

❄️ GAME OFF | Today's @SkyBetLeagueTwo fixture versus @OfficialOAFC has been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Boundary Park pic.twitter.com/63MPeVhh1h

— Morecambe FC (@ShrimpsOfficial) February 2, 2019

On Friday, Crewe’s home game with Colchester was the first English Football League match to be postponed, while Port Vale’s home fixture against Tranmere was also cancelled because of a frozen pitch.

David Beckham’s planned visit to Salford City was postponed as well. Beckham was due to watch the non-league club’s FA Trophy third-round tie with Maidstone on Saturday after his appointment as a director was formally approved by the Football Association on Thursday

Several National Hunt races have also fallen to the cold weather, including Wetherby’s Towton Chase card, to deliver a third successive blank day.

Thanks to the incredible work of our team, racing will be going ahead today.

Remember you can still join us, tickets available on the gate from £20. We look forward to seeing you for an exciting day of racing! pic.twitter.com/nnKBBePZ2L

— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) February 2, 2019

Racing at Sandown Park, though, will go ahead as planned following an early morning inspection.

Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper said on Twitter: “Late scare with unexpected snow showers persisting Friday evening but eased to rain/sleet by midnight.

“+1 all night and no snow accumulations on course. About 9mm of rain last 24 hours – generally soft but will be testing, particularly Hurdles.”

Racing goes ahead @Sandownpark. Late scare with unexpected snow showers persisting Friday evening but eased to rain/sleet by midnight.+1 all night and no snow accumulations on course. About 9mm of rain last 24 hours – generally Soft but will be testing, particularly Hurdles.

— Andrew Cooper (@ACooperClerk) February 2, 2019

The seven-race card starts at 12:40, and includes the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase.

A free minibus service is being operated between the train station and the main entrance to the racecourse due to the crossing being closed because of the challenging conditions.

Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival also beat the cold snap.

There are eight Grade One races set to take place over the weekend.

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