THERE were another raft of postponements this weekend after another deep frost through Friday night into the early hours of Saturday morning, the highest profile of which were Guiseley’s and FC Halifax Town’s Buildbase FA Trophy ties.

The Vanarama National League clubs were both due to play first-round ties against league rivals.

The Shaymen had been handed home advantage against National League leaders Macclesfield Town.

The Lions should have travelled to the north east to take on Gateshead but the pitch at the Heed’s International Stadium, like the one at The Shay, was unfit for play.

Both ties have been re-scheduled for this Tuesday.

Five of the other local sides were also thwarted as their games were called off, with the most frustrated club being Thackley, who had travelled to Lincolnshire to take on Bottesford Town in the Tooolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

The home side’s pitch had passed a morning inspection but was deemed unfit by the match referee just an hour before kick-off, with both teams at the ground.

The Dennyboys’ secretary Mick Lodge said: “I spoke to their secretary on Friday night and he said they expected overnight frost but that it would have thawed by kick-off time.

“I asked him to give us a decision by 10am on Saturday so that we wouldn’t get charged full price if we had to cancel the team bus.

"I didn’t get a call and we arrived at 1.30pm. Half-an-hour later it was off, so it’ll be a 140-mile round trip for us on a Wednesday night.”

The club can seek recompense after their wasted journey but they would have to follow a process.

If they were to do that, it could put a financial burden on their counterparts, and that is something they don’t like to do.

Lodge added: “In theory we could claim back our expenses but we’d need to make a complaint to the league, and they would then look into the circumstances of the 10am inspection.

“However, it’s already been costly for the home team – programmes printed, match officials' fees and expenses, wasted food in the burger bar and after-match catering, so do we want to add to their burden?

“We don’t like to and no doubt our committee will discuss it before a decision is made.”

Liversedge’s home game against Staveley Miners' Welfare in the same division was called off after a morning pitch inspection, as was Eccleshill United’s short trip to AFC Emley in Division One.

Silsden suffered a third blank Saturday on the spin as their game at Atherton Laburnum Rovers in Hallmark Security League Division One was also postponed.

The Cobbydalers’ lead at the summit was only cut by one point to 12 however, as their closest title contenders were both held to 1-1 draws.