Storm Goretti wreaks havoc as FA Cup and League One and Two fixtures postponed at weekend

Storm Goretti has forced multiple football fixtures to be postponed this weekend, with Salford vs Swindon the first FA Cup third round casualty alongside several League One and League Two matches

Weather is causing chaos with the football calendar once more as Storm Goretti’s aftermath leaves clubs frantically trying to save their matches from the axe.

The tempest has battered the country with freezing conditions and a barrage of snow and ice alerts. Rail networks have been thrown into disarray, schools have shut their doors, and tens of thousands are enduring massive power outages.

The Met Office issued an extremely rare red warning on Friday for “dangerous, stormy” conditions in one area of the country, with Brits facing travel mayhem as transport networks buckle under brutal winds and heavy snowfall. The FA Cup’s third round kicked off this weekend, but has already suffered its first casualty.

Salford City announced on Friday they had moved quickly to postpone their showdown with Swindon Town, reports the Mirror. A club statement revealed: “Salford City’s Emirates FA Cup Third Round fixture against Swindon Town on Saturday has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.”

The statement continued: “Sheets have remained on the pitch over the last couple of weeks in anticipation of the forecasted sub-zero temperatures, and heat lamps have been moved around the pitch throughout the week to try and help thaw the pitch out.”

It added: “However, despite the best efforts of the ground staff, there are still parts of the pitch that are frozen, and the decision has been made early in conjunction with the FA and Swindon to prevent unnecessary disruption to travelling supporters.”

A few League Two matches are also taking place, but several teams have already had to postpone their games. Chesterfield, Oldham Athletic, and Accrington Stanley have all had to call off their respective league fixtures due to adverse weather conditions.

All 64 clubs still in the FA Cup will receive guaranteed payments from the competition’s prize fund, regardless of whether they win or lose their tie. Clubs featured in television broadcasts will pocket an additional £80,000 on linear channels, while those participating in matches streamed on discovery+ will earn a fee of £40,000.

The FA Trophy has also been affected by the weather, with Kidderminster Harriers’ match against Morecambe postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday, January 13. The decision was made by a match official following a pitch inspection at Aggborough Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Heavy rain, snowfall and ice left the pitch waterlogged. With temperatures set to plummet further, it was deemed that there was ‘no prospect of the pitch being playable’ on Saturday.

Below is the full list of FA Cup and League fixtures, with postponed matches clearly marked.

Saturday January 10

FA CUP

12:15: Cheltenham Town v. Leicester City.

12:15: Everton v. Sunderland.

12:15: Macclesfield v. Crystal Palace.

12:15: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Shrewsbury Town.

15:00: Boreham Wood v. Burton Albion.

15:00: Burnley v. Millwall.

15:00: Doncaster Rovers v. Southampton.

15:00: Fulham v. Middlesbrough.

15:00: Ipswich Town v. Blackpool.

15:00: Manchester City v. Exeter City.

15:00: Newcastle United v. AFC Bournemouth.

15:00: Salford City v. Swindon Town – Postponed.

15:00: Sheffield Wednesday v. Brentford.

15:00: Stoke City v. Coventry City.

17:45: Bristol City v. Watford.

17:45: Cambridge United v. Birmingham City.

17:45: Tottenham Hotspur v. Aston Villa.

17:45: Grimsby Town v. Weston Super Mare.

20:00: Charlton Athletic v. Chelsea.

League One

12:30: Luton v. Stevenage.

12:30: Stockport County v. Huddersfield Town.

15:00: Bradford City v. Rotherham United – Postponed.

15:00: Leyton Orient v. Cardiff City.

15:00: Peterborough United v. Bolton Wanderers.

League Two

15:00: Accrington Stanley v. Barnet – Postponed.

15:00: Chesterfield v. Colchester United – Postponed.

15:00: Crewe Alexandra v. Harrogate Town.

15:00: Oldham Athletic v. Notts County – Postponed.

15:00: Tranmere Rovers v. Bromley.

Sunday January 11

FA Cup

12:00: Derby County v. Leeds United.

14:00: Portsmouth v. Arsenal.

14:30: Hull City v. Blackburn Rovers.

14:30: Norwich City v. Walsall.

14:30: Sheffield United v. Mansfield Town.

14:30: Swansea City v. West Bromwich Albion.

14:30: West Ham United v. Queens Park Rangers.

16:30: Manchester United v. Brighton and Hove Albion.

Monday January 12

FA Cup

19:45: Liverpool v. Barnsley.