AFC Wimbledon vs Newcastle new date set after extensive flooding causes 'sinkhole' on pitch

Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round tie between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle has been postponed due to extensive flooding that caused what looked like a sinkhole to open up on the pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The UK has been hit by a deluge of wet weather and flash flooding over the weekend and the Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain.

Both clubs took to social media on Monday morning to announce that the game had been called off due to flooding from the River Wandle that occurred overnight on Sunday, with pictures subsequently emerging showing what appeared to be a sinkhole near the corner of the pitch and flooded walkways at the ground.

The fixture will now be played on Tuesday, October 1, at St James’ Park, which has in turn seen the League Two fixture against Crewe postponed with no new date yet set.

“We regret to inform supporters that due to extensive overnight flooding of the River Wandle and surrounding areas, including at our Cherry Red Records Stadium, Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Newcastle United has been postponed,” AFC Wimbledon said in a statement.

After the new date was set, a new statement read: “We will confirm ticket arrangements as soon as possible (including refund process for the original fixture), and we are actively working with local travel companies on coach travel for our supporters wishing to travel as we recognise this will be extremely difficult for supporters looking to travel to support the Dons for this hugely anticipated fixture.

“Furthermore, our upcoming home EFL League Two match vs Crewe Alexandra, scheduled for 1 October, has been postponed. Tickets purchased for this fixture will remain valid, with more details to follow in due course.”

AFC Wimbledon vs Newcastle was scheduled to be one of seven Carabao Cup ties played across Tuesday and Wednesday this week to complete the staggered third round of games, which began last week.

The draw for the fourth round of the competition is due to take place after the conclusion of the televised fixture between Liverpool and West Ham at Anfield on Wednesday night. The fourth round itself is scheduled to be played during the week beginning October 28.

AFC Wimbledon have only one clear midweek before that in October, with Crewe previously due to visit in the league on October 1 before the Dons then travel to play Crawley in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on October 8.

They host Morecambe in the league on October 22 before taking on Brighton’s Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on October 28.

Newcastle - who have no European commitments again this season - have only three Premier League games on the schedule for October, against Everton, Brighton and Chelsea. However, there is another two-week international break coming up after their trip to Goodison Park on October 5.