Silsden will be desperate for tomorrow’s home clash with Colne, their long-term rivals from just across the Pennine peaks, to get the go-ahead.

The Cobbydalers’ last scheduled home game was washed out and, added to two defeats in their last two away fixtures, it has somewhat stalled the progress they were making in the North West Counties League.

Silsden are currently 17th in the Premier Division table, while their visitors are four points ahead in 11th.

The predicted sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice failed to materialise so most games are expected to be safe from the threat of postponement. But the milder temperatures have led to plenty of rain and that is the enemy as far as the Cobbydalers are concerned.

Club secretary and press officer Jim Rosser said: “We have encountered the usual problems but, fingers crossed, we will be okay for Boxing Day.

“The trouble is that our ground is on a flood plain and once the river has burst its banks it takes time to go down.

“The last reserve game was off, so it hasn’t been played on. It won’t have been cut up, so it just a case of the water levels and, of course, the weather.”