League on snow alert

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's clubs have been given special dispensation to start postponing Saturday's fixtures from midday on Friday.

With the arctic weather due to blanket most of the country with snow and ice ahead of the weekend's full fixture programme, officials announced the special measures on Thursday night to help ease the strain on clubs and supporters.

Early pitch inspections are expected to be carried out across the league throughout Friday as clubs take up the option, with the results posted on the Evo-Stik NPL's website over the next 24 hours as officially postponed.

Evo-Stik NPL Operations Manager Alan Allcock said: "We felt the special measures were prudent and necessary as the welfare of our clubs and their supporters is paramount.

"With so many people travelling to and from games around the country and the weather not expected to improve, this will allow clubs and officials to make sensible decisions in the best interests of everybody involved in individual fixtures."