FA Vase tie off: Storm Jorge has last word on Atherstone Town's bid for glory

Storm Jorge blew Atherstone Town's Wembley dreams slighty off course this afternnon when a rain-soaked Sheepy Road pitch forced their FA Vase quarter final tie to be called off.

Club chairman Brian Henney said it was "much regret" that tomorrow's last eight fixture with Northern League Division One side Consett AFC was postponed due to a waterlogged ground.

Nub News witnessed the pitch inspection by FA level 3 referee Ben Cooke who found standing water at the bottom end of the ground as well as the centre circle, penalty area nearest the players' entrance and corner flag area at the Gypsy Lane end "unplayable".

Mr Cooke told Nub News: "No white lines could have been painted on and around the pitch due to the amount of rain which had gone through the surface."

Consett chairman Frank Bell was telephoned by the referee who informed the FA of his opinion on the state of the pitch. Some 45 minutes after the 3.30pm inspection, footballing's ruling body confirmed Saturday's game was off.

The club immediately went into plan B mode and started rearrangement preparations for the 6th Round home tie to be played next Saturday – March 7.

Nub News opinion: If tomorrow's game had been played, it is doubtful Sheepy Road would have been fit for football for the rest of season.

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Weather note: Storm Jorge (pronounced Haw-hey) is expected to bring a mixed bag of damaging conditions from the risk of flooding and widespread gales to snow on high ground, the Met office warns.