Its probably fair to say the events surrounding the abandonment of this game will prove to be more memorable than the game itself, but despite a wet notepad, temporary pen failure and Curtly Martin-Wyatt's seeming determination to continue, here's the match report anyway.

Ashley Preece and Sam Jones were given their first starts of the season, replacing Sinmi Oyebanji and Thomas Smith respectively.

After only 3 mins Stuart Rice blazed over the bar for the visitors after being set up by Joe Danby. Seven minutes later Rice shot over again, this time from 20 yards.

The stifling heat gave little indication of the change in weather to come, making it difficult for both teams. Town's first good chance came on 15 mins when Ashley Preece did well in midfield to pick out Tim Robertson in space on the left, but Pikes goalkeeper Peter Lawrie managed to keep his strike out of the far corner. Martin-Wyatt came close a couple of minutes later when played in just inside the box but his low effort went just past the far post. Andy Hawksworth was finding himself in space down the right and a good delivery from the captain into the six yard was cut out by Lawrie to prevent a player in blue surely converting (Garforth in all blue due to Pickering's lack of non-clashing kit).

Martin-Wyatt almost put Town ahead on 31 mins after making a mazy run down the middle but his low shot went wide of the target. Two mins later Ross Shelton probably should've opened the scoring from Robertson's corner but somehow hooked the ball over the bar from close range.

Pickering sub Ged Dalton was causing problems for our back-line after replacing ex-Garforth defender Nathan Kamara midway through the half, but again a quality finish was lacking on 41 mins after beating his man and firing over the bar.

The Miners squandered a glorious chance in the final seconds of the half; Lawrie went down on the edge of the area after Martin-Wyatt's challenge, the ball was fed through to Luke Mangham who's shot came off the post. Martin-Wyatt was there to convert into the empty net but the offside flag was raised.

It seemed neither team had their shooting boots on, with neither keeper really tested. Initially this continued into the second half, an excellent ball in from Robertson two mins in found Sam Jones who blazed over from 10 yards. Shortly after down the other end a one-two between Niall Tilsley and Callum Ward ended in Tilsley also firing over.

Ben Hunter was finally called into action on 52 mins when Danby's free kick found Tilsley but Hunter was there to deny him with a good save. Soon after down the other end, Preece latched onto a loose ball in the box but could only fire over. Torrential rain of "biblical" proportions (copyright Carol Bannister) was by now falling with players carrying on as normal, but when this turned into hailstones referee Lee Freeman understandably called both teams off the field. A wait of around 10 mins ensued, with both sets of players gathered in the tunnel and supporters either taking refuge towards the back of the stand or giving up entirely for the bar. At around 4:20pm, with no sign of the rain ending any time soon, water building on the pitch and the ball unable to roll normally along the sodden surface, Mr Freeman abandoned the game.

With the abandonment occurring after half time, the match will have to be played again and the league have already confirmed this will take place on Tuesday 20th October, kick-off 7:45pm.

Town team: Hunter, Hawksworth (c), Robertson, Monfredi, Shelton, Alali, Mangham, Preece, Martin-Wyatt, Jones, Harris. Subs (all unused): Simpson, Lund, T. Smith, Simpkins, Perks.

Attendance 83.