Football Insider

FA Cup third round postponement latest as Met Office upgrade Storm Goretti warning

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Storm Goretti has put several FA Cup third-round fixtures at risk as the Met Office upgrades weather warnings, raising the prospect of postponements due to snow, ice and travel disruption. The storm is forecast to bring heavy snowfall and freezing conditions across large parts of the UK, triggering yellow weather warnings that could directly affect Friday night’s cup schedule.[3]



While some Premier League ties are also under scrutiny, the biggest concerns centre on Friday’s FA Cup matches staged at smaller grounds with fewer protective facilities. Fixtures such as Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest and Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town fall squarely within the areas covered by snow warnings, increasing the likelihood of hazardous approaches to the stadiums, frozen pitches and safety risks for travelling supporters.[2][3]

Clubs and match officials are monitoring conditions closely, with decisions expected to hinge on updated forecasts and on-the-ground inspections rather than purely on the timing of the warnings themselves. The article explains that any postponements would create significant scheduling headaches, as January calendars are already congested and rearranged ties would need to be squeezed into tight midweek windows, potentially impacting player welfare and preparation.[2]

By contrast, some higher-profile third-round ties scheduled for stadiums with undersoil heating and more advanced facilities are seen as less vulnerable, provided access routes remain safe. However, the upgraded Met Office guidance means no game is entirely secure until conditions stabilise, and authorities have reiterated that supporter safety and travel viability will take precedence over keeping the original dates intact.[1][3]

Overall, the piece frames Storm Goretti as a major, evolving threat to the FA Cup third round, stressing that fans should stay alert to late changes, with further postponement news possible as the storm reaches peak intensity and the full extent of disruption becomes clear.