Boston Town were left frustrated by the late postponement of their first fixture of 2026.
Players, officials and a coachload of supporters had travelled to Clay Cross Town on Saturday, despite weather forecasts warning that freezing conditions would persist throughout the weekend.
The home team had said on Friday afternoon that there was no planned pitch inspection. At 11.30am on the day of the match, they announced: “After a pitch inspection the game goes ahead. Thank you to our volunteers who are still working to improve conditions.”
However, large areas of the pitch were clearly frozen when the Poachers arrived in Derbyshire. Referee Lee Farthing carried out an inspection and decided the pitch was not playable.
It was an exasperating day for those who had made the 150-mile round trip – but the Poachers didn’t lose any ground in the United Counties League Premier North, as the games involving their promotion rival were also postponed.
No date has yet been set for the rearranged fixture at Clay Cross.
Boston Town now have four consecutive home games to look forward to. Three of them are league games, offering Chris Funnell’s side the chance to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.
Sherwood Colliery are in second place, two points behind but with three games in hand.
On Saturday (10 January), Boston Town entertain Newark & Sherwood United at the Mortgages For You Stadium.
The Poachers are also at home to Belper United on Saturday 17 January and to Ashby Ivanhoe on Saturday 24 January.
Between those two league fixtures, Boston Town are also at home to Grantham Town on Tuesday 20 January in the semi-final of the Lincs Senior Trophy. The Poachers have a good recent record in the competition, having reached two of the previous three finals.
Kick-off for all the weekend games is at 3pm. The semi-final kicks off at 7.45pm.
Boston Town will be aiming to extend their 11-match unbeaten run. They haven’t lost since a 2-0 reverse at Gresley in October and they’ve also registered five successive clean sheets. Only twice before in their history have they gone longer without conceding a goal.
