A bleak and desolate outlook last Sunday morning saw the rain cascading down onto already sodden pitches, and just one match of the league programme was completed.

Quite simply no-one can remember a season like it and there appears to be no sign of any respite with nowhere for the water to run to as the water table throughout the area is so high.

League and club officials, referees and players are all now wondering when the next fixture will be possible, and it is certainly time to take stock and determine priorities because there is no doubt now that a number of sides will not be able to complete their fixtures.

A number of leagues and competitions around the area have either been cancelled, cup competitions put on hold or a large number of midweek games already pencilled in.

This will only increase the pressure on players and referees come April and May.

In this League we cannot compel clubs to play midweek, and available dates may not be forthcoming anyway as Saturday clubs seem to take priority.

It is hoped that all councils, schools and private pitches will assist clubs in keeping pitches open into May, as flexibility will be required by everyone involved.

DIVISION FIVE

In the one match to survive the weather, referee Mick Simpkin did well to get the game on at M & G against Woodham Radars Reserves , and he officiated the match well.

M & G won 4-2, Andy Smith's hat-trick being the highlight while the home sides other goal was put away by Kev Critchell.

The win was enough to take M& G to the top of the table, one point ahead of Partners.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.