EFL clash postponed less than 30 MINUTES before first day of season as Storm Antoni wreaks havoc on football calendar

COLCHESTER UNITED’s season opener has been postponed – less than 30 minutes before kick-off.

The U’s were due to kick off their League Two campaign this afternoon at home to Swindon Town.

But the match has fallen victim to a waterlogged pitch thanks to Storm Antoni – which has left the entire nation damp and miserable.

A club statement read: “Colchester United’s opening match of the season has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

“The U’s were due to kick off their 2023/24 season against Swindon Town this afternoon at the JobServe Community Stadium, but heavy rain in north Essex has postponed the start of the campaign for the two teams. 

“Referee Anthony Backhouse deemed the pitch unplayable due to the surface being waterlogged, despite the best efforts of the U’s groundstaff to get the game on, following a pitch inspection at 2:30pm.”

A new date for the fixture is expected to be announced in “due course”.

Footie fans were quick to comment, with one tweeted: “Feel sorry for Swindon fans there, that’s outrageous to call it off so late.”

Another said: “That’s embarrassing from the club there should’ve been at the very latest 1 o’clock inspection if they had doubts!”

And another said: “Been torrential down here all day too and non-league games are going ahead. Absolute joke.”

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One remarked: “That’s crazy.”

Another chimed in: “That just sucks I actually feel bad.”

One Colchester fan tweeting: Really? So close to kick-off and postponed? This gives us a bad look.

“Apologies to Swindon fans for the huge messing around.”

Disappointed Colchester fans, however, were soon lifted by the club’s announcement of new striker Joe Taylor.

One U’s supporter tweeted: “Nice way to cheer us up.”

Another said: “Get in.”

And another said: “Ohh cheeky.”

Colchester’s season will kick off on Wednesday with a trip to Wales for their Carabao Cup first-round clash with Cardiff City.

Swindon, meanwhile, will be in action the night before against Peterborough United.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk