Newcastle’s clash with AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third round has been postponed, it has been announced.
Storms have swept through the United Kingdom over the past few days and sudden downpour in London has left the League 2 outfit with no choice but to call off the fixture.
Footage has shown that the rain has led to the pitch at The Cherry Red Records Stadium becoming waterlogged, with immense flooding at Park Lane and other roads leading to the ground also making it unsafe for match-going supporters to travel.
A statement from Newcastle read: “Tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon has been postponed following extensive overnight flooding at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. Further details will be announced in due course.”
Wimbledon wrote: “We regret to inform supporters that due to extensive overnight flooding of the River Wandle and surrounding areas, including at our Cherry Red Records Stadium, Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Newcastle United has been postponed. More information will follow in due course regarding fixture rearrangement. The stadium is closed until further notice.”
The postponement presents a major rescheduling headache, with Wimbledon already having a very busy fixture schedule over the coming weeks to contend with.
The fourth round of the competition is set to take place on the week commencing October 28, with Newcastle not set to play in any midweek matches before then. In contrast, Wimbledon have two Tuesday night games which could cause issues.
The Wombles are set to Crawley Town in their second clash of the EFL Trophy on the week commencing October 7, and it remains to be seen whether the EFL would open to moving that match to facilitate a rescheduled Carabao Cup tie.
Similarly, Wimbledon host Crew on October 1, another date which could be viewed as the ideal time to move the tie with Newcastle to – though that would have obvious implications on both clubs’ other matches in the campaign.
The Wombles will also be weary that they will need time to prepare their pitch to ensure that it is fit for purpose, especially as they host Accrington at the weekend in what will be viewed as a great opportunity to secure another three points whilst their opponents are in a poor run of form – winless in their opening seven matches.
