Alfreton Town’s FA Cup second round fixture against Walsall is POSTPONED just six minutes before kick-off due to a frozen pitch – and the game was set to be shown on BBC One!

Alfreton Town’s FA Cup second round fixture against Walsall has been postponed just six minutes before kick-off due to adverse weather conditions, with Walsall manager Mat Sadler describing the pitch as ‘rock-hard’.

The game was set to be shown live on BBC One, but the broadcaster had to amend its scheduling quickly, cutting to its show ‘Money for Nothing’.  

Adverse weather conditions had swept through Derbyshire overnight, with temperatures dropping to -2 degrees ahead of the match. 

Alfreton’s grounds staff and volunteers had been working hard this morning to ensure the fixture went ahead, with players having completed their warm-ups ahead of the match. 

Supporters had taken their positions in the stands at the Impact Arena Stadium, but just moments before the game was due to start, the FA has announced that it would be postponed. 

Walsall manager Mat Sadler told BBC One: ‘As soon as I walked out here I thought the game would be off. It’s rock-hard and not getting any warmer.

‘I know they left it as late as possible to see if it could be played, but it looked dangerous to me.

‘I think common sense has prevailed on that one. The game was never going to be played as soon as the covers came off, the goal mouths were rock hard.

‘Right decision to have been called off.’

More to follow…