Quakers play their first home league of the calendar year against York City tonight when they hope to build on Saturday’s FA Trophy win over Wealdstone – but whether the game will go ahead is a different matter.

Several hours of snow left the pitch covered yesterday, and with a frost forecast along with continuing sub- zero temperatures, the game is in some doubt. There will be a pitch inspection this morning.

Quakers are way behind on their league fixtures for a variety of reasons already this season.

They have played only 11 league fixtures, and have had just as many called off because of their FA Cup and FA Trophy commitments, Covid and bad weather. They are now fourth bottom of the table.

That means they still have 31 league fixtures to play by the end of May, a scenario which is looking unlikely, given the refusal of some clubs to play matches.
Spennymoor are due at Chorley tonight, but they told the league last weekend that they won’t play.

Kettering, Curzon Ashton and Guiseley are among the other clubs who are understood to be considering their positions as they wait, just like Quakers, for the
vote on whether to null and void the season.

Manager Alan Armstrong said that Quakers produced one of their best performances of the season against Wealdstone last Saturday, but victory came at a price, with striker Luke Charman, defender Tony McMahon and striker Dan Maguire all picking up injuries.

Fortunately, Charman’s ligament injury isn’t as bad as first feared, but he will still be out for several weeks.

York City are also well behind on their fixtures, and have played only twelve league games this season. They haven’t been as successful as Quakers in the Cup and Trophy, but they have been badly hit by Covid, although their trip to Alfreton last  last Saturday was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

They are currently in seventh place in the table, having lost just twice this season, both away from home.