Tranmere Rovers vs Watford postponed after heavy rainfall from Storm Brendan

Watford's FA Cup third-round replay against Tranmere Rovers has been postponed six hours before kick-off due to heavy rain brought by Storm Brendan, with large areas of the United Kingdom battered by storms and strong winds on Tuesday.

The club had concerns about the condition of the Prenton Park pitch throughout Tuesday, with the third round tie due to take place following the 3-3 draw at Vicarage Road at the start of the month.

Following a high-volume of rainfall throughout the morning, officials at the club expressed their concern that the further water on the pitch would put the fixture in doubt, and with the weather unrelenting in the afternoon an decision was taken shortly after 1:30pm.

A club statement read: “Tonight's Emirates FA Cup game against Watford has been postponed. A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

“We must add that the ground staff have worked tirelessly, working all hours, over the past few days in attempt to get the game on but were unfortunately beaten by the weather.”

Tranmere confirmed that they had been “in regular contact” with Watford as well as the referee and Football Association since Monday, and due to the poor weather forecast a MacLeod Pitch Covering System” was installed yesterday evening in an attempt to protect the pitch and allow air to circulate in an effort to dry it out.

But the relentless rainfall in the Wirral area had already caused a pre-planned 6:30pm inspection, only for referee Tony Harrington to call the match off upon his arrival at the stadium shortly after lunchtime.