Hastings hoping to beat big chill

The region’s football scene is slowly trying to recover after being decimated over the past week by the freezing weather conditions. Not a single game survived in the Ryman Football League last weekend and only one was played in the Sussex County Football League.

Like so many pitches, The Pilot Field playing surface has been under a blanket of snow since the heavy fall last weekend.

Hastings director and groundsman Simon Rudkins has been checking the pitch and discovered it was fairly soft beneath a covering of three of four inches of snow.

“The goal areas are similarly covered and not frozen, and as long as the snow melts gradually over the next few days, there is a good chance that the game will go ahead,” the club’s website reported on Tuesday.

“It is anticipated that the snow on the pitch will protect it from the severe frosts that are forecast for the next couple of nights, acting as a help rather than a hindrance.

“If conditions do not take a turn for the worse, and Friday arrives with the pitch looking playable, and the overnight weather forecast looking kind, the club will be glad of some help clearing any remaining snow from the supporter areas, and spreading salt.

“If anybody is able to assist from 6pm on Friday evening, it would be greatly appreciated, especially if they can bring a shovel.”

As well as forcing the postponement of last weekend’s trip to AFC Hornchurch, the freezing conditions have also disrupted training.

See today’s Hastings Observer for the full article.