Barrow game called off

Boro’s game against Barrow tomorrow afternoon has been called off. Stevenage has seen some heavy snow fall in the last 24 hours and the pitch is deemed unplayable. According to the official website, there are 6 inches of snow covering the pitch and surrounding terraces. Also the paths/cyclepaths outside the ground are also quite dangerous at the moment. A date for the re-arranged game has not yet been announced.

UPDATE

With no football at all in the Conference today due to the weather, it was interesting to have a look at the rest of the divisions in the Football League and Premier League. Only 1 match survived in League 2 with leaders Rochdale beating Shrewsbury 4-0 at Spotland. Former Boro striker Steve Morison had an eventful afternoon as Millwall played Charlton in the south London derby. Morison hit two goals as Millwall took an early 2-0 lead. However, Deon Burton brought Charlton back into the game with 2 penalties. Nicky Bailey put Charlton ahead before Dave Martin equalised. Then Morison scored another goal, this time one in his own net to give Charlton the lead again late on. Just to add to the drama, Danny Schofield hit an equaliser 2 minutes into injury time to earn Millwall a point.

In the championship, George Boyd starred as Peterborough beat troubled Watford 2-1 at London Road. Boyd set up Lee Frecklington for the opening goal, before John Eustace scored for the Hornets to make it 1-1. Boyd was again involved for the winner, scored by former Kettering defender Exodus Geohaghon. Elsewhere, Swansea beat struggling Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Hillsborough.  Nottingham Forest also continued their good form with a convincing 3-0 victory over Preston NE at the City Ground.

It was also another eventful day in the Premier League. Liverpool were beaten by bottom club Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park. Goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piqionne were enough for Avram Grant’s side to move level with West Ham at the foot of the table. Manchester United were beaten 3-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage. United’s defensive issues continue to affect them. Manchester City beat Sunderland 4-3 at Eastlands in what turned out to be Mark Hughes’ last game in charge. Hughes will now be replaced by Roberto Mancini, who used to manage Inter Milan in Serie A. Aston Villa and Tottenham continued their challenge for a top four place with wins over Stoke and Blackburn respectively, while Arsenal beat Hull in the late kick-off. Arsenal are now in 3rd place, just 2 points away from Manchester United with a game in hand.

For Boro, it is Cambridge United next. As always it will be a tough game for Westley’s side. Boro players will very much have revenge on their minds after the second leg play-off defeat last May. Cambridge haven’t been the same force this season as they were under Gary Brabin last season, but they will raise their game next weekend in front of a bumper, Boxing Day crowd. A win for the U’s will keep them in the hunt for a play-off spot while a win for Boro will keep the pressure on Oxford.