Second EFL clash called off just 20 minutes before kick-off as wild weather wreaks havoc
A second EFL match has been postponed as the nation continues to be decimated by wet weather.
Crawley Town were due to host Charlton Athletic at the Broadfield Stadium in West Sussex.
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However, the referee had concerns over the pitch and gave ground staff the chance to clear the water in certain areas of the ground at 1:50pm.
A pitch inspection followed at 2:15pm and the referee decided a second would follow closer to kick-off.
Unfortunately for supporters, the pitch did not pass the second inspection as the decision was taken to postpone the fixture due to a waterlogged surface.
The match was ultimately called off at 2:40pm, just 20 minutes before the match was due to commence.
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Addicks boss Nathan Jones lifted the lid on the conversations he had with the referee and why the game was postponed.
"Disappointing, we would've liked to have played for every reason," Jones told Charlton TV.
"But we left it up to the referee. One end of the pitch where we were was good. The referee made the decision that the bottom end of the pitch was unplayable.
"To be fair to the referee, he gave it every opportunity and he said it was only going to get worse.
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"He said if he couldn't finish it, he was very reluctant to start it. So I think that's the decision he's taken."
Charlton went into the clash hoping to make it a fourth-straight win having beaten Northampton Town, Cambridge United and high-flying Wycombe Wanderers in their last three.
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Jones' side have also lost just once in their last seven league matches, marking an impressive turnaround from their early season form.
Prior to their latest unbeaten run, Charlton picked up only two league wins between September 21 and December 14.
But the three wins on the bounce have brought the Addicks back to life.
As for Crawley, they had hoped to snap a four-game winless run.
They will now kick off 2025 with an away trip to Barnsley on January 4 while Charlton host Reading on the same day.
Crawley and Charlton's match was not the only EFL contest on New Year's Day to be postponed.
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Wigan Athletic was forced to call off its League One match against Huddersfield Town due to 'severe localised flooding.'
The call was made despite the pitch at the Brick Community Stadium being deemed 'playable'.
However, pictures on social media quickly did the rounds and showed a number of areas near the stadium severely flooded.