Oxford United’s FA cup game against Woking has been called-off after heavy rain left the pitch waterlogged.

Officials said the Surrey side’s pitch was inspected earlier this morning, when the surface was found to be ‘unplayable’.

Manager Karl Robinson said: "We're gutted not to be playing today but we do understand the decision and we know that the competition deserves games that are a spectacle for fans and played in the right conditions.

"Some of our staff were already at the ground and saw the pitch for themselves.

“The rest of us and the players were making our way there but the decision was made early enough for us to turn round and report to the Bangkok Glass Training Centre to train and prepare for Wednesday night's game at Shrewsbury."

Arrangements were being made to rearrange the first-round Cup fixture ‘as soon as possible’, the club said.

Had the game gone ahead, it would have been the first time Oxford had met non-league Woking in the FA Cup.

The sides have played each other seven times in the past – all between 2006 and 2010, when Oxford United languished in the non-leagues. The Us won three of those matches, Woking came away with one victory and there were three 0-0 draws in consecutive years from 2006.

Woking are fifth in the National League, having kept clean sheets in their last two matches. They have picked up 30 points from their 17 league games so far this campaign.

Oxford, by contrast, have had a frustrating start to their season. The club currently sits 17th in the League One table, having won just five of their 16 league games.

However, the side has been unbeaten in the last three matches and Robinson had hoped to continue this form into today’s FA cup clash.

He told the club’s press: “We know it is an important game.

“The result is all that matters; just make sure you get over the line and are in the hat for the draw for the next round.

“Billy [Bodin] and Matty [Taylor] will be in the squad.

“Matty in particular has been in the situation of playing for a lower league club in this competition after he was released from here so he understands both sides of it.”

Oxford United will take on Shrewsbury on Wednesday night. The Midlands side is currently three places about Oxford in the League One tables, with 22 points compared to Oxford's 19.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward