Festive National League fixtures called off due to Covid-19

Thursday 24th December 2020

National League fixtures over the festive period have been postponed due to Covid-19.

Bromley have confirmed that their home game against Sutton United on Boxing Day has been postponed, as well as their trip to Dagenham & Redbridge (28 December) and their game at Sutton United on Saturday 2 January 2021.

“Following confirmed positive Covid-19 test results within the squad, the club has been placed into 10 day isolation period,” said a club statement.

“The safety of our players and staff has always been at the forefront of our actions during this pandemic and, in line with Government and National League guidance, the club will now be closed for first-team activity and staff will isolate for 10 days.

“We wish members of our staff a quick recovery and we hope everyone in the community is keeping safe and well at this time.”

Bottom-of-the-table Dover Athletic have re-arranged their home fixture against Chesterfield after it was called off twice during this month.

Chesterfield will now come to Crabble on Tuesday 23 March 2021.

Andy Hessenthaler, meanwhile, has extended the loan spell of Hull City midfielder Ryan Hanson, 20, for another month.

Meanwhile, in National League South, the Boxing Day games between Ebbsfleet United and Dartford and Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United have been called off.

Dartford’s home game against Tonbridge Angels two days later, has also been called off.

“Due to a member of the Dartford squad testing positive for Covid-19 the team are isolating,” said a club statement from Princes Park.

Dartford manager Steve King, meanwhile, has signed former Welling United and Dover Athletic winger Nassim L’Ghoul, 23, from Bromley.

A Tonbridge Angels statement added: “Following a positive test for Covid-19 on a Tonbridge Angels player, the National League has put the clubs players and staff in isolation until 30 December.

“This means that the home fixture against Maidstone United on Boxing Day and the away fixture against Dartford on 28 December have both had to be postponed.”

Tonbridge manager Steve McKimm, meanwhile, has signed Thomas Hanfrey, 20, from Championship side AFC Bournemouth.

The 6ft 3 in left-sided player can play at full-back or in midfield and has spent most of his footballing career at Bournemouth’s Academy representing both the under 18s and under 21s.

Welling United manager Bradley Quinton has released Anthony Cook, Lexus Beeden and Rowan Liburd.

Prolific striker Joe Taylor has arrived from Isthmian League Premier Division side Cray Wanderers on dual-registration.

Centre-back Rob Strachan, 20, joins on loan from Millwall and comes with a great pedigree having represented England at under 16 and under 17 levels.

Welling United's two festive games against Dulwich Hamlet (Boxing Day and 2 January) and at home to Ebbsfleet United (28 December) have also been postponed.

The Isthmian League and Southern Counties East Football League remain suspended due to Kent and London currently placed in Tier Four restrictions by the UK Government.

The National League and National League North and South is allowed to continue as it is classed as Elite football - but games have to be played behind closed doors due to Tier Four restrictions.