Watford stars and manager Javi Gracia enjoy snowball fight at training ground

  /  autty

Watford's players and manager Javi Gracia proved they are all big kids at heart as they enjoyed a snowball fight at the club's training ground.

There was a decent dusting of snow at the Hornets' London Colney training base on Thursday night and therefore plenty of fun to be had at training on Friday.

Watford's Premier League match away to Brighton is likely to survive the big chill this weekend but further down the leagues there are a number of postponements.

Accrington's Sky Bet League One match against Blackpool has been postponed because of freezing conditions following a pitch inspection on Saturday morning.

Volunteers had been asked to turn up from 8:30am help clear the snow from around the Wham Stadium, with the covers taken off the pitch.

However, following an inspection referee Rob Lewis said it was 'unplayable due to the freezing weather overnight', Accrington confirmed in a post on the club's Twitter feed.

The League Two game between Cheltenham and Cambridge was also called off on Saturday morning, with the club confirming on Twitter that 'an area of the pitch has been deemed unplayable due to freezing temperatures.'

Swindon's home game against Forest Green also failed to beat the weather.

Oldham's home game against Morecambe in League Two was another match that failed to beat the weather.

A statement on Oldham's website said: 'The referee has deemed the pitch unsafe to play on due to the weather.

'The club would like to thank everyone for their best efforts over the past couple of days in trying to ensure the game goes ahead.'

On Friday, Crewe's home game against Colchester was the first English Football League game to be postponed, while Port Vale's home match against Tranmere was also cancelled because of a frozen pitch.

David Beckham's planned visit to Salford City was postponed as well. Beckham was due to watch the non-league club's FA Trophy third-round tie with Maidstone on Saturday after his appointment as a director was formally approved by the Football Association on Thursday

Several National Hunt races have also fallen to the cold weather, including Wetherby's Towton Chase card, to deliver a third successive blank day.

Racing at Sandown Park, though, will go ahead as planned following an early morning inspection.

Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper said on Twitter: 'Late scare with unexpected snow showers persisting Friday evening but eased to rain/sleet by midnight.

'+1 all night and no snow accumulations on course. About 9mm of rain last 24 hours - generally Soft but will be testing, particularly Hurdles.'

The seven-race card starts at 12:40, and includes the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase.

A free minibus service is being operated between the train station and the main entrance to the racecourse due to the crossing being closed because of the challenging conditions.

Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival also beat the cold snap.

There are some eight Grade One races set to take place over the weekend.

Cheltenham also announced the League Two match against Cambridge had been postponed following a pitch inspection at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

In a post on the club's Twitter feed, Cheltenham said 'an area of the pitch has been deemed unplayable due to freezing temperatures.'

Swindon's League Two fixture against Forest Green was also called off because of the condition of the surrounding areas at the County Ground.

The club said the pitch had been 'deemed fit for purpose', but 'despite the great lengths gone to, supporter safety is paramount and the correct decision has been reached.'

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