U’s to arrange pitch inspection

United’s award-winning groundsman Simon Rudkins wrote on social network site Twitter this lunchtime: “Pitch inspection to be arranged tomorrow. Thawing slowly today.”

The Pilot Field pitch has been covered in snow for the past few days, but the bigger issue has been the fact that it’s been frozen beneath that. Temperatures are forecast to reach 4degC tomorrow, though, which should help the thawing process.

Given the amount of fixtures facing United over the coming weeks, the last thing they need is any more postponements following the cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled visit from Carshalton Athletic.

United are currently second-bottom of the Ryman Football League Premier Division having played just 19 of their 42 league games. They are also still involved in the Ryman League Cup and Sussex Senior Cup.

Cray are in 15th place, six points above United having played four more matches. If the match goes ahead, kick-off at The Pilot Field will be 7.45pm. New signing Ben Judge could make his United debut.

Elsewhere in the Ryman Premier, Carshalton’s match against Wingate & Finchley tomorrow has already been postponed. In Division One South, Maidstone United versus Folkestone Invicta is also off despite the Stones’ 3G surface.

Rye United are due to take on fellow Sussex County League high-flyers East Preston in a Sussex Senior Cup third round tie at Worthing FC tomorrow. Updates on whether the games are on or off will appear on this website when further news emerges.