Local clubs facing hectic spell as fixtures pile up

NO PLAY TODAY: The scene at Chadderton’s FC Broadway ground.

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: LOCAL clubs are facing a fixture backlog after weeks of freezing temperatures and snow.

Mossley, from the UniBond League division one north, haven’t kicked a ball in anger since December 15, a run of six consecutive postponements, while Chadderton and Oldham Boro’s wait for a competitive game of football in the Vodkat North-West Counties League goes back to December 12.

Fixtures are piling up fast and, with no let-up in sight — rain and snow is forecast up until the weekend — the situation is set to get worse.

Mossley are due to visit Glossop North End tomorrow for a rearranged Manchester FA Premier Cup tie, but it must be in danger if the men and women at the Met Office are proved right.

Chadderton didn’t play at all in November, just twice in December and time is running out to play a match in January.

The Broadway outfit are waiting to receives dates from the league for rearranged match dates, but they already gearing up for a non-stop spell of action.

Manager Paul Buckley said: “With 21 league games left, we’ll be playing every midweek up until the end of the season.

“Last weekend’s match was postponed on Friday because of snow and ice. By Saturday some of the snow had melted, but areas of the pitch were waterlogged.

“The situation is horrendous. I don’t know what we’ll do if we get another two weeks of bad weather.”

Oldham Boro, who have played 13 league games, have got half-a-dozen fixtures to fit in.

Boss Tony Mills said: “The lads are screaming to play.

“We managed a good two-and-a-half hour blow-out on Saturday at our ground. The players were cold and wet and a few were puffing their cheeks out at the end of it, but they really enjoyed it.

“It was something that needed to be done, because they are desperate to get out there again and, fingers crossed, Saturday’s game at Daisy Hill will be on.”