BRIDGWATER Town are facing a spell out of action, with their upcoming FA Vase and Western League matches having been postponed.

The Robins had been due to host Westbury United in the league last Saturday, with Tavistock scheduled to visit Fairfax Park for an FA Vase fourth round tie this coming Saturday (January 9).

But that was before the latest government announcement on Covid-19, which placed most of Somerset into Tier 4 restrictions.

Football Association (FA) guidance states that grassroots football in Tier 4 areas is not permitted, including all training and fixtures - the only exemptions being for under-18s and disabled people.

The ban applies to clubs in Steps 3-6 of the National League System (including the Western League) and regional feeder leagues (including the Somerset County League), as well as Tiers 3-7 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, and all other indoor and outdoor adult grassroots football.

Western League fixtures had taken place on December 26 and 28, but the league has now called a halt to its programme.

Now the FA has announced that all fourth round (and remaining third round) ties in the FA Vase have been postponed as well.

Its statement said: “In light of the recent government announcement regarding the updated tier restrictions, which placed over 75 per cent of the population under Tier 4 restrictions, all fourth round proper fixtures scheduled for January 9, 2021, and the outstanding third round proper matches, will be unable to take place in line with the latest government guidance.

“These fixtures shall therefore be postponed with a new date to be confirmed.

“We will continue working with the relevant parties to ensure these fixtures can be rescheduled as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Bridgwater’s players are to continue with their individual training programmes, in preparation for football’s eventual return.