Big freeze set to wipe out non-league and grassroots football in Norfolk again

Only a handful of football games across the region still have a chance of beating the Big Freeze tomorrow afternoon.

The fixture list has already almost been completely decimated, like last weekend, due to the cold conditions that are still sweeping the country.

While the snow may have eased somewhat in parts of Norfolk, predicted bad weather and icy temperatures have once again hurt a large majority of non-league clubs.

Dereham Town, Thetford Town, Norwich United, Diss Town, Kirkley & Pakefield and Gorleston's matches were all postponed in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

Downham Town, Fakenham Town and Great Yarmouth Town's Division One matches all bit the bullet while Swaffham Town, still on at the moment, were expected to also be unable to beat the near-Arctic conditions.

King's Lynn Town's Evo-Stik Division One South trip to Coalville Town was called off leaving Gary Setchell's side facing another Saturday of training.

The Linnets boss, who will have his players in at the town's Heros Gym for a work-out, said: 'There's nothing we can do about it. It's disappointing, but not unexpected. It gives us another week to work hard ahead of a very tough trip to Northwich Victoria. We will prepare like we have been doing throughout this weather and I know the lads are all chomping at the bit for when we do get to play again. Hopefully that will be next Saturday.

'All teams are in the same boat as us so there will be a stage where we have a lot of matches to play. We'll know then if we're in a title fight or a play-off battle. We will have to use or squad wisely.

'We'll have to try and look at games where we think we can get the job done as well as getting valuable rest into players. But I always look at things from week-to-week so it's hard to plan too far into the future.'

The match was likely to be an entertaining one with both clubs having struck up a fierce rivalry since their FA Vase semi-final in 2011.

Wisbech Town's FA Vase fourth round clash at Gornal Athletic has been postponed for a second week running as freezing temperatures continue to delay their hopes of playing the last-32 match.

The Fenmen will hope to travel to the Midlands next Saturday – just seven days before the fifth round is scheduled to take place – if the weather improves.

The only other non-league teams who still stand an overnight chance of playing were Lowestoft Town and Wroxham in their respective Ryman Leagues.

Almost all grassroots action across the county, and in fact East Anglia, is likely to be wiped out. Norwich City Council and West Norfolk Borough Council made decisions to abandon any matches on their pitches.