It was another frustrating Saturday for many of the local football clubs and supporters as teams from Bradford City down faced blank weekends due to the freezing weather.

From Thursday onwards there was genuine hope that most of the fixtures would get the green light after the temperature had risen. As matchday approached clubs had even called off early inspections because they were confident the pitches were playable.

It proved to be false hope. Misplaced complacency turned to surprise, dejection and even anger as game after game was cancelled on a Saturday morning that was bathed in bright sunlight.

The cash-strapped Bantams were not the only club caught out by the severity of the frost that had gripped the region.

Bradford Park Avenue's home meeting with Ashton United in the UniBond Premier, Farsley Celtic's FA Trophy third-round tie at Throstle Nest, Guiseley's Roses battle with Trafford in UniBond Division One and Thackley's Northern Counties East Premier Division clash at Sheffield were all victims.

"The frost was obviously a lot deeper than anyone expected," said Park Avenue press officer Tim Clapham.

"We had an inspection on the morning of the game and the referee didn't dilly, dally about. He spent a few minutes on the pitch before deciding it was not fit."

Guiseley manager Neil Parsley confirmed that he was able to inform his players early on Saturday that they did not have to undertake their trans-Pennine trip.

"I was told at 10.30am that it was a non-starter," he said. "We have been fortunate, it's the first game we have had put off because of the weather. We had a few postponed because of the FA Cup run.

"It was a big disappointment to us. Confidence is high after last week's win at Lincoln United and it was an opportunity to play the bottom-of-the-table side.

"Trafford appointed former Hyde United man Mike McKenzie as their new manager at the start of the week and no doubt he will have got his act together and they will be a different side by the time the fixture is re-arranged.

"But that's part and parcel of the game and we will have to go there whenever and concentrate on our own game and look for three more points."

Farsley Celtic were less philosophical about their Trophy tie after an early inspection had passed the ground fit but the match referee reversed that decision after Gainsborough Trinity had made the journey.

"We did everything right and the local ref who we got in on the morning of the game even rang the match referee to tell him the ground was hard but playable," said Celtic boss Martin Haresign.

"Their supporters were a bit upset, there were three coach-loads of them. But I don't think their manager Phil Stant was too disappointed. They asked us if they could train so we let them have the back pitch while we trained on the main pitch. It didn't seem unplayable to us but it's all about opinions."

The tie has been rearranged and will now take place at Throstle Nest tomorrow (7.45pm).