York City and York City Knights were both facing further fixture havoc today.

City’s FA Trophy tie at Barrow, which had been rescheduled for last night after being postponed on Saturday, was called off again due to a frozen pitch and put back a week – thus causing further upheaval.

The Knights, meanwhile, have failed to come to an agreement with London Skolars for a new date for their postponed Northern Rail Cup group game – meaning the Rugby Football League will now have to intervene.

City’s quarter-final tie was initially put back 24 hours to tonight, but – as revealed on thepress.co.uk yesterday – that decision was quickly changed due to the poor forecast, with the game now pencilled in for next Tuesday, March 2.

This means the Minstermen’s Blue Square Premier game against Grays Athletic next Tuesday will also have to be rearranged as Trophy ties take precedence.

City already have a backlog of matches and a complicated fixture programme afoot.

The Knights’ match against the Skolars at Huntington Stadium on Sunday was also called off due to a frost-bound and snow-covered pitch.

The clubs have been in discussions for the past two days to find a new date to suit both, but the decision has now been referred to the RFL.

The Knights’ preferred date was Tuesday, March 9.

But the problem for the London part-timers is finishing day jobs and getting up to York for an evening kick-off.

The Skolars suggested playing the tie this Sunday – and put the Championship One opener between the sides, which was due to take place that day, back to a blank weekend in August.

The Knights said this idea was unsuitable for several reasons, including sponsorship arrangements, a potential clash with athletics, who also use the stadium in the summer, and the effect on cash flow. They also did not want to start the league season a week after all the other clubs.

The Press understands both clubs were happy for this Sunday’s match to double-up, with the one result counting towards both the league and the Northern Rail Cup – but the RFL would not sanction that proposal. Various other suggestions also proved fruitless.