United’s friendly at Court Place Farm this afternoon was abandoned after a tropical rainstorm flooded the pitch. The storm, which started at about 1.40pm, saw torrential rain swamp the ground. The rock-hard pitch ensured that the surface water failed to drain away, leaving referee S Crighton no option but to call off the match.

United manager Jim Smith had already declared that this game would be a run out for United’s reserves and youth players, with the first team back in action on Wednesday, at Eastleigh. There was also a slight possibility that Eddie Hutchinson might make an appearance following his injury, but neither Chris Hargreaves nor Steve Basham were yet ready to play. Basham probably won’t be ready to return until United play a Manchester United XI on 8 August.

Why the game was called off

One game that did take place this afternoon was the match between Oxford City Colts under-7 and Horspath Boys under-7, which was won 2-0 by Horspath. Oxford City Colts under-9 were drawing 0-0 with Quarry Rovers under-9 when their game had to be abandoned due to the heavy rainfall.