MORE than half of the football matches due to be played on the Isle of Wight this afternoon (Saturday) have been called off, which is now threatening to extend the season as the backlog of postponements grows.

As has been the case over the past six weeks, appalling weather has left football pitches across the Island unplayable.

Thursday's torrential rain, which left widespread flooding across the Island, caused most grounds to remain waterlogged.

The big game this afternoon will be the Hampshire Intermediate Cup semi-final clash between Shanklin and Fareham Town Reserves at the County Ground, which is still on, kick-off 2pm.

Should they win, it will set up a mouthwatering final against Brading Town, who beat Moneyfields Reserves last Saturday.

The Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 match between Newport and Alton, at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes, is currently on, thanks to the hard work of ground staff and dry, sunny weather yesterday (Friday).

However, ten of the 18 Island League and cup matches planned for this afternoon have been postponed.

They are, as follows: Harwoods Dacia Senior Isle of Wight (Gold) Cup, first round: West Wight v Pan Sports Island League Division 1: Bembridge v Ryde Saints; Binstead & COB v Whitecroft & Barton Sports; Northwood St John v Brading Town.

Division 2: Newchurch v Vectis; Yarmouth & Calbourne v Seaview.

Combination 1: Carisbrooke United Reserves v Seaview Reserves; Sandown Reserves v Northwood St John Reserves.

Combination 2: Osborne Coburg Reserves v Niton Community Reserves; Ryde Saints A Reserves v Pan Sports Reserves.

The games on, as at 11.30am, are: Hampshire FA Intermediate Cup, semi-final: Shanklin v Fareham Town Reserves.

Hampshire FA Plate, semi-final: Brading Town Reserves v Osborne Coburg.

Harwoods Dacia Senior Isle of Wight (Gold) Cup, first round: West Wight v Pan Sports.

The Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, second round: Niton Community v Adgestone.

Island League Division 1: Cowes Sports Reserves v Ventnor; ECS v Sandown.

Division 2: Newport Reserves v Oakfield.

Combination 1: Oakfield Reserves v ECS Reserves.; Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves v Ryde Saints Reserves.

Combination 2: Vectis Reserves v Wootton Reserves.