BRADFORD Park Avenue, Vanarama Conference North rivals Guiseley and Evo-Stik First Division North outfit Farsley were all thwarted yesterday as many sporting fixtures fell victim to the cold snap.

There was no further snowfall after Friday night’s heavy covering but the temperatures dropped even lower.

The deep overnight frost left the pitches rock hard this morning and with the surrounding areas at Horsfall Stadium, Nethermoor and Throstle Nest covered in ice, it raised safety issues for the supporters.

Guiseley was so badly affected that, despite club officials doing what they could the day before the game, the decision to call the visit of AFC Fylde off was made late last night.

It was a blow as the Lions had battled to earn a point at Harrogate Town on Boxing Day and as Fylde were the division’s new leaders, a ding-dong promotion battle was in prospect.

Avenue were expecting a bumper crowd as their opponents were the well-supported Stockport County.

It was the third postponement in four scheduled home games at Horsfall.

Following the recent problems, Avenue's Kevin Hainsworth said: “I saw the snow coming on Friday night and I thought ‘oh no’ because I knew what was coming.

“It’s a pity but there was nothing we could do about it as we were up at the ground early this morning working on it but the frost was just too deep. We’re always faced with a dilemma as a club of limited resources when it snows.

“You can try to get enough volunteers in to clear the snow as soon as it falls but when the temperatures are forecast to drop overnight, it’s sometimes better to leave it on to protect the pitch.

“If you make that call, it can all go wrong if the temperature doesn’t drop as low as expected. If that happens, the sun comes out the morning after and melts all the snow, which leaves a waterlogged pitch, so it’s difficult.

“This fixture against Stockport County seems to be doomed. We should have played them at home last New Year's Day but it was waterlogged that day. They would have brought a big following with them but when the game is rearranged for a Monday night – last season it was in February – there will be less than 100 away supporters.”

Farsley also had help from their fans but to no avail as their home game against Darlington 1883 – who are also well supported – was called off just before lunchtime.

The club had asked for volunteers to join staff working on the pitch from 9am clearing snow. They had a good response from local supporters but, despite their efforts, the game was called off just before 11.30am by a local referee, who found the playing surface unfit for play.