Ref fails to Let it Go (on) as she claims pitch is frozen

Referee Lucy Oliver, wife of Premier League referee Michael, called off Sunday’s WSL1 mach between Everton and Chelsea minutes before the scheduled 12.30pm kick-off, writes Paul Lagan.

Blues Fans made the 480-mile round trip in the hope of seeing Chelsea stay top of the league but were instead stuck outside the Southport FC stadium before news filtered through that Oliver had deemed the pitch frozen.

Several Chelsea players said the pitch was perfectly playable, but the ref was concerned about a strip of grass that the assistant referees would run up and down.

Chelsea are at home, weather permitting, on Sunday, where they face new league leaders Manchester City. Kick-off is noon.