A concerned Crewe Alexandra refuse to play Prescot upon arrival, and an incident abandons Wythenshawe Town v Altrincham.
Pre-season friendlies saw some rather unique situations on Tuesday evening (14 July), with clubs issuing a statement on what happened.
Prescot Cables FC tweeted: “Quite incredibly, Crewe Alexandra have called off tonight’s game as they do not wish to play on our pitch.
“We share the disappointment that many of our supporters will be feeling at the late cancellation of this friendly game.”
Quite incredibly, Crewe Alexandra have called off tonight’s game as they do not wish to play on our pitch.
We share the disappointment that many of our supporters will be feeling at the late cancellation of this friendly game. pic.twitter.com/CBh8oKdZvC
— Prescot Cables FC (@PrescotCablesFC) July 14, 2026
Crewe Alexandra wrote: “Tonight’s pre-season friendly with Prescot Cables has been cancelled.
“We apologise in advance to supporters, who have already started to make the trip.”
Then said in a statement on their website: Crewe Alexandra can confirm that tonight’s friendly match at Prescot Cables has been cancelled.
Upon arriving at the Northern Premier club’s Hope Street stadium, concerns were raised about the standard of the playing surface.
Reluctantly, it was decided that the game should not go ahead.
Tonight’s pre-season friendly with Prescot Cables has been cancelled.
We apologise in advance to supporters, who have already started to make the trip.#CreweAlex
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) July 14, 2026
Crewe manager Lee Bell said: “This was not a decision we took lightly, and I want to apologise to any supporters who had made the trip to Prescot.
“We wanted the game, and we were looking forward to it.
“But the players were immediately concerned about the pitch, and our medical staff agreed the risk of playing was absolutely clear.
“The safety of our players is paramount; we have a couple coming back from long-term injuries and I will not risk them. I trust them and the medical staff, so we had to make the tough decision to cancel the game.
“Again, I apologise to anybody who started out on the journey, home fans and away.”
Crewe will next be in action at home to Stoke City on Saturday (3pm).
Club Statement | Prescot Cables friendly cancelled.#CreweAlexhttps://t.co/8EQJWFLWSW pic.twitter.com/WFJgi4y0BI
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) July 14, 2026
— Prescot Cables FC (@PrescotCablesFC) July 14, 2026
Note to your groundsman, grass needs watering 👍 pic.twitter.com/q8DNIQ83no
— Lewis (@cozby97) July 14, 2026
@rli09: “We can’t afford any injuries before the season even starts… so if your pitch isn’t up to scratch and putting our players at risk then too right we will call it off.
Prescot Cables FC: “The condition of the pitch is clearly a matter of opinion, however we are confident it is more than playable.
“We had been looking forward to welcoming back our supporters for the first time since April, plus visiting Alex fan.
“Additionally the loss of gate/bar revenue.”
The squad were put through their paces during an in-house 45-minute game at Alexandra Park this evening 🏃
Adrien Thibaut and Jordan Gibson were on target in the fixture ⚽️#CreweAlexhttps://t.co/V4xWUOrf1S
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) July 14, 2026
Wythenshawe Town v Altrincham ended up being abandoned just before half time due to an incident on the pitch mid-game.
Altrincham FC said on their website: “Tonight’s pre-season friendly against Wythenshawe Town was abandoned shortly before half-time following an on-field incident.
“The decision to abandon the match was made out of concern for the safety and welfare of both sets of players after the situation escalated.
“The match officials will submit their reports to the relevant authorities, and it would be inappropriate for the club to comment further until that process has been completed.
“We thank our supporters for their understanding.”
In a now deleted tweet, Wythenshawe Town wrote: “Match abandoned at half time. Don’t listen to rumours online, we come back out on the pitch with the ref and the other team didn’t so take that how you want it.
“Embarrassing to see but we go again Saturday sorry for anyone who came to watch a game of football.”
The morning after, joint Wythenshawe Town manager Astley Mulholland posted: “The post was removed at my request.
“I wasn’t at the game myself, but my joint manager was, and I have since received and reviewed the video footage.
“The matter will be fully reviewed and dealt with internally.
“Regarding the Altrincham player leaving on crutches, the footage shows that he fell over without any player around him at the time.
“As for the altercation, it should never have happened, and I do not condone that behaviour from anyone involved.
“However, the video footage speaks for itself. It clearly shows one of our players being punched while on the floor.
“Our player then reacts by kicking out. While that reaction is not acceptable, it is important that the full sequence of events is acknowledged rather than placing all of the blame on our players.
“I would therefore ask that people refrain from posting or sharing false narratives until all of the facts have been established. Thank you.”

Photo Credit – @Inter_Alty1977

Photo Credit – @Inter_Alty1977

Photo Credit – @Inter_Alty1977

Photo Credit – @Inter_Alty1977

Photo Credit – @Inter_Alty1977
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Following on from our game last night and the post 👍🏽 pic.twitter.com/q78vlAIo1G
— astley mulholland (@astley24) July 15, 2026
I can’t explain any form of fighting on the football pitch Thomas hope that helps 👍🏽
— astley mulholland (@astley24) July 15, 2026
Agreed Micheal nor should an image creating a false narrative in which looks like and creates a bad picture on my players and club as a whole which wasn’t the case 👍🏽
— astley mulholland (@astley24) July 15, 2026
😂🫡
— astley mulholland (@astley24) July 15, 2026
Incorrect here is me saying stop with the false narratives and explains what went on in which the picture doesn’t tell the full
Story hope this helps mate 👍🏽
The matter on what our player has done is being dealt with internally as the statement says,hope you can read this better— astley mulholland (@astley24) July 15, 2026
Meanwhile at Croydon FC, their game against Larkfield & New Hythe was temporarily stopped with nearly 10 minutes left of the second half to go.
This was due to the floodlights going out. The game managed to finish shortly after, Croydon winning 6-3.
Croydon FC wrote at 9:19pm: “A break in play at the Academy ground as the floodlights have gone out! Anyone got 50p for the meter?”
And then at Berkhamsted, their game against Chesham United was delayed kick off, getting underway at 8:03pm instead of 7:45pm.
@cheshamutdfc:
🚨 DELAYED KICK OFF ⚠️
Kick off is delayed here at Berko due to an issue with the referees
Officials have been located and we are underway at 20:02
@Davenorr55David posted via Twitter: “Berkhamsted forgetting to book referee and assistants for their game v Chesham Utd tonight meaning ko was delayed until they found some.”


