Cup clashes at Cappielow and Hamilton are postponed

The winter freeze struck has struck again with tonight’s Scottish Cup fourth-round replay between Morton and Turriff United called off, going the same way as the Dumbarton v Hamilton fourth round tie – which was called off for a third time.

A Cappielow pitch inspection was arranged for yesterday afternoon due to concern at the condition of the playing surface. Referee Iain Brines was called in and he postponed the game.

A Morton spokesman said: “An early decision was taken due to the weather forecast for the next 24 hours where temperatures are set to fall well below freezing. We also took into account the travelling for our opponents and their supporters.”

The game is now due to take place on Monday, 17 December at 7.30pm.

The Dumbarton v Hamilton tie has been rescheduled for tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Cowdenbeath, meanwhile, fear tomorrow night’s Scottish Cup meeting with St Johnstone will be postponed for a fourth time after the SFA ordered a pitch inspection this afternoon.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, 1 December, Cowdenbeath tried again to get the tie played last Tuesday and were then told to aim for yesterday.

With an inspection on Sunday ruling the frozen pitch unplayable ahead of last night’s proposed kick-off, the game was timetabled for a fourth attempt tomorrow evening.

However, with the Central Park surface said to be “rock hard” in places yesterday and temperatures set to plummet overnight and snow forecast for Wednesday, another inspection has been scheduled for 2.30pm today.

If that results in yet another postponement, the teams will attempt to finally face each other on Monday of next week.

Tonight’s Third Division game between Stirling Albion and East Stirlingshire is also in doubt due to a frozen goalmouth, with Stirling Operations Director Stuart Brown saying: “At Monday lunchtime, most of the pitch was playable but the goalmouth at one end of the ground is still causing concern. We will ask for an inspection on Tuesday if the predicted drop in temperatures happens.”

Tonight’s two other SFL games are due to be played on artificial surfaces, with Alloa facing Queen of the South and Clyde facing Queen’s Park. No requests for pitch inspections had been received yesterday afternoon.