Oxford City secretary John Shepperd says it is ridiculous that they cannot call off a match until the day it is due to be played.

City will carry out a 10am pitch inspection at Court Place Farm before tomorrow’s Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division home clash with Bedford.

But Shepperd felt a call-off was a formality after all the cold weather in Oxford.

“I’m not optimistic it will go ahead,” said Shepperd.

“The pitch hasn’t had the chance to thaw. Temperatures have not got above freezing.”

He added: “But unless we get a directive from the Southern League, they won’t allow us to call a game off until the morning of a game.

“I think you will find that most club secretaries think that is ridiculous.”

Football League matches can be called off at any time, provided inspections take place.

City have this week been training on the recently-opened 3G pitch at Court Place Farm, which is not yet available for matches.

Boss Mike Ford said: “You can put on proper sessions.

“The surface is very true and players can’t make excuses about uneven bounces.

“There are a few clubs in the Northern Premier League that play on 3G pitches and they all played last weekend.

“I think 3G could be the way forward in the future.”

Meanwhile, up the road at Banbury United, club secretary Barry Worsley is optimistic their home game with Cambridge City survive the freeze.

“The pitch was playable yesterday, but the forecast is for eight inches of snow,” Worsley said.

“It’s a bit frozen in places, but if the match had been scheduled for yesterday afternoon, it would have been played.”

Manager Ady Fuller will hand new signing Wes Emery his debut should the game go ahead.

Fuller said Emery would start tomorrow as replacement for Ryan Howell (away).

“I’m looking forward to seeing him play,” said Fuller. “He’s good at set-pieces and is very competitive. He gets on the ball and hopefully he can make things happen.”

North Leigh’s home clash with Didcot Town in Division 1 South & West is also a serious doubt.

Secretary Keith Huxley said: “It’s looking very doubtful.

“It’s a shame if it is off because we were expecting a good crowd for a derby game and we’re on a bit of a roll.”

Abingdon United’s trip to Halesowen is also a doubt.

l Former North Leigh and now Forest Green Rovers striker Matty Taylor has been selected as back-up for the England C team against Italy in the International Challenge Trophy at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, February 28.

Taylor, who left North Leigh in September, has scored seven goals for the Blue Square Bet Premier side this season.

Tomorrow’s squad

Banbury Utd (v Cambridge C, home): from Kemp, Coleman, Polk, Dolman, Chilton, Williams, Cole, Johnson, Josh Blake, Edmond, Kinch, Angus, Fraser, Thackeray, Richardson.