FA Cup third round match postponed due to frozen pitch as new date confirmed
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Mansfield Town's FA Cup third round tie at home to fellow League One side Wigan Athletic became the first FA Cup third round match of the weekend to fall victim to the weather as freezing temperatures hit the UK. A few hours later, Preston vs Charlton Athletic was also postponed due to a frozen pitch at Deepdale. Both matches have quickly been rescheduled for next Tuesday, January 14, when they will kick off at 7.45pm.
As a result of those changes, Mansfield's League One clash at Exeter City, which had been scheduled to be played next Tuesday, has been put back to a later date. Mansfield stated that they had done all they could to try and get the game on, but ultimately the plunging temperatures proved to be too much.
The club said: "Frost covers have been on the playing surface all week in an attempt to protect the pitch, however, with temperatures reaching as low as -7°C in the early hours of this morning and not forecast to rise above freezing within the next 24 hours, an early decision has been made to postpone the game.".
At the time of writing all of the remaining FA Cup third round fixtures are set to go ahead, with Cardiff City, Everton and Fulham all advancing to the fourth round with wins over Sheffield United, Peterborough and Watford respectively on Thursday night.
Aston Villa host West Ham at Villa Park on Friday evening, when Wycombe are also due to host Portsmouth. In a statement on X on Friday morning, Wycombe said: "We have no concerns ahead of tonight's fixture, with the pitch covers on and undersoil heating in operation. Staff are gritting the car parks and pathways but please take extra care as you move around the stadium. See you tonight!".
