Call-offs galore thanks to Beast from East

Snow and freezing temperatures yesterday forced the cancellation of several football matches and race meetings.

The Scottish Championship matches between Brechin and Dunfermline, and Dumbarton and Inverness, fell victim to the weather after lunchtime pitch inspections. The Dundee United v Queen of the South Championship match a late call-off at 6pm – only 1hr 45min before kick-off – much to the annoyance of many of the travelling supporters.

The Airdrie v Alloa and Albion Rovers v Arbroath League 1 match all feel by the wayside as did the Stenhousemuir v Cowdenbeath League 2 game.

Wigan fans heading to Bristol Rovers in English League One were spared the lengthy and potentially tricky journey when the

“With present conditions it was an absolute no-brainer

game was called off just after midday.

Referee Stephen Martin described it as one of the easiest decisions he had to make.

“Unfortunately, with the forecast and the present conditions it was an absolute no-brainer,” he said. “The pitch is frozen, it is dangerous and wouldn’t be a good spectacle.”

That match was the most high-profile in England to fall victim to the weather but there were other postponements in the National League, with Guiseley’s match at home to Barrow and Boreham Wood versus Maidenhead both called off.

Three of the four games in the National League South were also called off.

There was no possibility of horse racing at Ludlow, Catterick or Musselburgh but it did go ahead at Chelmsford and Lingfield.

“We’ve had about five centimetres of snow and there is more forecast so it is not going to go away,” said Catterick clerk of the course Fiona Needham.

“With the temperature as it is and more snow expected, it was an easy decision.”