WORCESTER City suffered their first home postponement of the season as the weather claimed their match against Maidenhead United.

Saturday’s Blue Square South fixture at St George’s Lane fell foul of a frozen pitch following a 10am inspection to avoid the Magpies travelling.

It was part of a pre-Christmas schedule decimated by the wintry conditions as county sides Kidderminster Harriers, Evesham United, Bromsgrove Rovers, Stourport Swifts, Malvern Town and Westfields all had their matches called off.

City, who, like Maidenhead, have reached the halfway stage of 21 games in the league, remain one place above the relegation zone after Lewes and Weymouth also had their matches against Eastleigh and Braintree respectively postponed. Interestingly, the weekend freeze may actually work in Worcester’s favour as they could feasibly attract a bigger gate if the match is rearranged for a Monday night.

Football matches on the last Saturday before Christmas are notorious for low attendances and, with Maidenhead unlikely to have brought a large away contingent, Richard Dryden’s side may see it as a blessing in disguise.

It also gives players such as top-scorer Craig Wilding chance to recover from the hamstring problem which has plagued him in recent weeks, while left-sided player Alfie Carter has been struggling with an ankle problem.

But, importantly, City will have one eye on the weather forecast this week as they cannot, almost literally, afford the Boxing Day home match against Newport County to go the same way as Maidenhead.

By contrast, a large crowd is anticipated for the visit of Dean Holdsworth’s league leaders and City chairman Anthony Hampson has highlighted the game, which kicks-off at 12.30pm, as a key revenue generator.

Last season, the Newport match at the Lane on New Year’s Day was postponed and only 759 showed up for the Monday date in January.

The corresponding fixture against Maidenhead was also called off and rearranged but the Magpies’ travelling support is not in the same league as County.

Also, unlike the quick rearrangement of the Thurrock game last Tuesday in a bid to get points on the board, City don’t have the luxury of doing the same with United.

It would almost certainly have to wait until after the FA Trophy second round match against Carshalton Athletic, in case there is a replay, and progression in the competition would present the same situation.

Manager Dryden is also unlikely to be in favour of a game on Monday, January 4, just five days before the Trophy clash.

In addition, the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final against Kidderminster Harriers at the Lane has been set for Monday, February 8.