SNOW covered pitches meant that the vast majority of the region’s football matches were cancelled last weekend.

Salisbury City were the most high profile local casualties, as their home clash with Tamworth was called off on a day where the whole Blue Square Premier programme was wiped out.

In the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division, Bemerton Heath Harlequins’ away match with Christchurch and Laverstock & Ford’s home clash with Totton & Eling were non starters, while Downton’s fixture with Petersfield Town and Verwood Town’s match-up with Horndean were also called off in Division One.

Bizarrely, the only games to survive the weather in Wessex Division One involved teams from our region.

Ringwood Town’s game on the Isle of Wight with East Cowes Victoria went ahead, as did Amesbury Town’s game at Hythe & Dibden.

Shrewton United’s Les Phillips Cup game with Elmore bit the dust and the entire Salisbury and District Saturday and Sunday League programme was wiped out.

No games went ahead in the Plaister Autos Wiltshire League, and very few did in the Hayward Bournemouth League. Fordingbridge Turks reserves and Ringwood Athletic shared a 2-2 draw in Saturday Division Six.

Youth football also suffered, as none of the region’s teams managed to get any play at all over the weekend.

If the temperatures pick up as predicted, Salisbury face an away trip to Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day (3pm).

The Whites are due to be in action again on Monday, December 28, when they host Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford United at the Ray Mac (3pm).

Amesbury Town are also in action on Boxing Day, as they entertain Andover New Street (11am), while Downton visit Hamble ASSC (3pm).

Boxing Day also sees a derby in the New Forest as Verwood travel to near-neighbours Ringwood (11.55am).

There is another local derby on December 28, when Bemerton host Laverstock (2pm).

Shrewton go to Westbury United in the Western League Division One on Boxing Day (2pm).