Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor wonders when FC Halifax Town match will go ahead following 'inevitable' third postponement

The Shaymen stated ‘heavy snow and freezing temperatures’ were the key factors behind the postponement, which was confirmed at 10:15am on Tuesday morning.

It was a decision that the Pools boss had anticipated back on Saturday given the weather forecast in West Yorkshire. So when it was officially confirmed, it came as little surprise.

“It’s inevitable based on the weather forecast,” Challinor told The Mail.

“The way fixtures work in this league and you have to rearrange games within a set period of time, games that are called off around this time of year can be difficult to be put in and played soon because the weather can take its toll and last for days, weeks or even longer at times.

"The difference in weather from one day to the next has been pretty marked where Monday was a decent day but then there has been snow overnight which makes the game unable to get played.”

Pools will now look to complete the fixture at The Shay at the fourth time of asking with a new date to be confirmed in due course.

But with uncertainty looming over the season and a busy seven match schedule still set to be played in February, it’s likely to be a while before Challinor’s side face the prospect of a return to The Shay.

"We’ll have a go another time and we’ll probably have to wait a little bit to get it played which will be some time in March I’d imagine,” he added.

“We can’t control the weather and the game is called off now and we can take positives or negatives from it.

"Players who were maybe doubtful or suspended for the game like Gav [Holohan] and Mols [Luke Molyneux] now become available for a different game.

"It also gives us the chance to have a full week preparing for Dover.

"We’ve sent the lads a session to do at home [on Tuesday] and go again at Dover on Saturday.”

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