It’s been a frustrating start to the new year for Thame United, as we go into the second week of the new year and still haven't kicked a ball in anger. It all started with the fixture against Aylesbury on 3 January becoming the first casualty with the game being called off the day before due to snow and heavy frost, the forecast for the next few days was for no rest bite in conditions so an early call was made to postpone the game.

The following Saturday 10 January the temperatures dipped below freezing overnight and although it was only for a few hours in was enough to leave a ground frost and parts of the pitch in particular the goal mouths and in front of the main stand frozen solid. The temperature had improved during the day and the sun was out but it wasn't enough to thaw the impacted areas. Although the sun was out it doesn't rise high enough in January to impact the frozen parts of the pitch, so they remained in the shade and rock hard all day. So after a 11am pitch inspection by a local referee the game against Welwyn Garden City was postponed.

As the temperatures rose on the Sunday and Monday the pitch began to thaw out after a cursory look on Monday afternoon the pitch was soft but playable, and the club were hopeful the game against Hertford Town would go ahead, however after overnight rain which had cleared but then started again at around 9am it was decided to have a cautionary look at the pitch conditions at lunchtime. After a review at 1pm, it was still raining and there was standing water in both goal mouths and one of the 18 yard area was very soft underfoot with the ground saturated. After a discussion with the match day referee, the league and ground staff an early pitch inspection was agreed and with the forecast for rain on and off for the rest of the day the game against Hertford Town was called off around 2pm with no chance of the pitch drying out.

We can confirm that the Aylesbury United game is scheduled to be played on 10 February with the Welwyn Garden City game to be played on 27 January, Hertford Town will be schedule for sometime at the end of February. Fingers cross conditions improve for the vast of Biggleswade FC this Saturday.