Football postponed LIVE: Latest updates with three FA Cup ties CALLED OFF and multiple EFL matches postponed
IT'S FA Cup weekend - but many third round ties have been postponed as the big freeze continues across the country.
Leyton Orient vs Derby County was the latest game to be POSTPONED, while Sunday's cup clashes have all survived the winter temperatures so far.
The Os clash is the third FA Cup game to fall, with Preston's meeting with Charlton and Mansfield vs Wigan called off due to a frozen pitch.
Multiple matches in the EFL and non-League also fell victim to the freezing temperatures, leaving many clubs with no football this weekend.
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Find out about all of the latest postponements through our live blog below...
Fixture latest
As it stands, all seven of today’s FA Cup third-round ties are scheduled to take place.
Five of the seven fixtures are hosted by Premier League stadiums, and given the facilities of top-flight clubs, the matches will likely go ahead with no problems despite the freezing temperatures.
Elsewhere, Hull welcome League Two Doncaster to the MKM Stadium, which has undersoil heating, so we should see no issues with that game going ahead.
And who could forget National League Tamworth’s huge tie with Premier League giants Tottenham at the Lamb Ground?
The non-league club have worked tirelessly to make sure their glamour fixture goes ahead – and as things stand, it looks set to take place.
Tamworth play on a 3G surface, which gives it a better chance of surviving the freezing conditions.
Tamworth ready for action
Temperatures are expected to remain chilly for Tamworth's blockbuster FA Cup third round tie with Tottenham this afternoon.
The forecast currently has the temperature at around 3°C for kick off at The Lamb Ground.
The club are offering all supporters who hold a U10's ticket a free £15 official FA Cup 50/50 matchday scarf.
Supporters can collect the scarf from the ticket office or the club shop.
Credit: @Tamworthfc/X When will the postponed FA Cup ties take place?
On Saturday, THREE FA Cup ties didn't take place due to a frozen pitch.
These games were Mansfield vs Wigan, Preston vs Charlton and Leyton Orient vs Derby County.
All three third round clashes will now take place on Tuesday, January 14.
Cup takes precedent
Incredibly, despite being able to get their FA Cup game on - Exeter City have already called off Tuesday's League One match against Mansfield Town.
Exeter ran out 3-1 winners against Oxford United on Saturday in the cup.
But, they have already decided the pitch at the One Call Stadium is frozen for next week's game against Mansfield.
The club have said the FA Cup takes precedent over league fixtures. How novel.
Orient's CEO speaks up
Leyton Orient CEO Mark Devlin echoed his club's disappointment at having to call their FA Cup tie against Derby off - just three hours before kick off.
"We are extremely disappointed that today’s cup match cannot take place," Devlin said.
"Our grounds staff had worked extremely hard this week to put provisions in place to deal with the cold temperatures and we were confident yesterday evening of the match going ahead.
"Unfortunately, the overnight weather was colder than forecast and it has frozen a big area of the pitch, which won’t get any sunlight today.
"We completely understand fans’ frustration and although it was out of our control we apologise for the inconvenience caused to both sets of supporters."
Take a lead out of Shrewsbury's book
Shrewsbury Town called off their game on Friday night, due to the adverse weather conditions.
They were set to entertain Huddersfield Town at Croud Meadow on Saturday, but made the early decision postpone the match because of a frozen pitch.
With temperatures dropping below freezing yesterday evening, it was the sensible decision to announce it in such good notice.
Swindon v Crewe
These were the extraordinary weather conditions Swindon and Crewe faced.
It's amazing they managed to get the game on, although there were delays.
Fans were skeptical, though, as you can read below.
Women's FA Cup was badly affected
It wasn't just Arsenal's game that didn't make it. These fixtures will all need rearranging.
Blackburn Rovers v Portsmouth
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City v Stoke City
West Ham v Liverpool
Monday and Tuesday's FA Cup games
Monday
Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge, 7:45pm
Tuesday
Leyton Orient vs Derby County, 19:45
Mansfield vs Wigan, 19:45
Preston vs Charlton, 19:45
FA Cup fixtures to come
Will these games go ahead?
Sunday, January 12
- Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers, 12:00
- Tamworth vs Tottenham, 12:30
- Arsenal vs Manchester United, 15:00
- Newcastle United vs Bromley, 15:00
- Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers, 15:00
- Crystal Palace vs Stockport County, 15:00
- Southampton vs Swansea City, 16:30
Preston's reaction
Preston's home match against Charlton was called off.
"A pitch inspection took place at Deepdale on Friday by match referee Ruebyn Ricardo and the surface was deemed unplayable," a statement from Preston read.
"Despite the tireless work of the club’s grounds staff to prepare the pitch for this fixture, the sub-zero temperatures throughout the week and overnight on Thursday mean the surface remains frozen.
"With similar conditions expected again on Friday evening into Saturday morning, a decision has been made early in consideration of travel plans for supporters, and the players and staff of Charlton Athletic."
Why Mansfield's game was off
Mansfield called their match against Wigan off too.
The club revealed: “Frost covers have been on the playing surface all week in an attempt to protect the pitch, however, with temperatures reaching as low as -7C in the early hours of this morning and not forecast to rise above freezing within the next 24 hours, an early decision has been made to postpone the game.”
AFC Wimbledon's pitch
AFC Wimbledon have had all sorts of issues with their pitch this season.
Who can forget when a sinkhole interrupted their campaign?
Today, a frozen pitch put pay to their fixture at home to Cheltenham.
Ref's call on Orient v Derby
Referee Ben Speedie explained why he called off Leyton Orient's match with Derby County.
He said: "I got a call from the club this morning to come in and check the pitch.
"Based on yesterday, the pitch was playable. The positive was that the weather was forecast to be warmer overnight.
"Unfortunately, overnight, the pitch and the weather were colder, and it's actually frozen one of the goalmouth areas. Due to the weather coming in that, come kick-off, it would be about minus one. The pitch isn't going to thaw. With the agreement of both clubs, it has been postponed due to player safety."
Grimsby Town statement
Grimsby's match with Notts County was remarkably postponed only 90 minutes before kick off.
Now The Mariners have revealed why the decision was made so late.
Arsenal Women off
The Gunners' game against Man Utd is not under threat from the adverse weather conditions.
However, Arsenal Women haven't had such lucky. Their fourth round cup tie against Bristol City is off.
How on earth!
So, it finished 0-0 between Swindon Town and Crewe Alexandra.
The game finished more than hour later than the other 3pm kick offs - simply because the insane fog caused a delay.
But, they got the game on and the fog did clear at the end.
Credit: Ashley Crowden/REX/Shutterstock Swindon v Crewe delay
There was an hour delay to the game between Swindon Town and Crewe Alexandra due to the fog.
It was the only game that managed to get played in League Two.
Below, Crewe boss Lee Bell chats with referee Lee Swabey.
Credit: Ashley Crowden/REX/Shutterstock National League postponements
- AFC Fylde vs Sutton United
- Altrincham vs Wealdstone
- Barnet vs Hartlepool United
- Gateshead vs Braintree Town
- Maidenhead United vs York City
- Oldham Athletic vs Eastleigh
- Southend United vs Halifax
League Two games off today
- Carlisle United vs MK Dons
- Port Vale vs Barrow
- Gillingham vs Fleetwood
- Grimsby vs Notts County
- Wimbledon vs Cheltenham
What games were called off in League One?
- Northampton vs Barnsley
- Shrewsbury vs Huddersfield
- Blackpool vs Cambridge
- Stevenage vs Burton Albion
Full list of postponements in FA Cup
- Mansfield vs Wigan – to be played on Tuesday, 14 January
- Preston vs Charlton – to be played on Tuesday, 14 January
- Leyton Orient vs Derby County – to be played on Tuesday, 14 January
How's this going on?
Swindon are entertaining Crewe Alexandra, as we speak.
Again, how anyone can see anything is debatable.
It has, apparently, got better though. One to keep an eye on.
Credit: Ashley Crowden/REX/Shutterstock Fog at Leicester
Brilliant shot of how the fog affected the Leicester game.
Maybe that could explain QPR's defending?
Credit: Reuters FA Cup games rescheduled
The FA Cup games that have already been postponed have all been re-arranged for next week.
Here's a look at those matches and when they'll be played...
- Mansfield v Wigan – to be played on Tuesday, 14 January
- Preston v Charlton – to be played on Tuesday, 14 January
- Leyton Orient v Derby – to be played on Tuesday, 14 January
