LOCAL soccer suffered its worst weather-hit day of the season so far as torrential rain swept across south-east Essex on Saturday afternoon.

Due to the superb efforts of their groundstaff, who worked on the Park Lane surface from 8am, play did get underway in Canvey Island's home game with Wingate & Finchley.

But as heavy rain became incessant during the half-time period, referee Simon Long had no option but to call a halt to the proceedings with the action still goalless after 57 minutes due to the pitch becoming increasingly waterlogged.

Great Wakering Rovers' home game against leaders AFC Hornchurch was called off, adding to Rovers' already lengthy backlog of fixtures.

Aveley's trip to Maldon Town was postponed, as was Tilbury's visit to Wivenhoe Town.

The whole of the Essex Senior League fixture list was wiped out by the wet weather, which also severely affected the Essex Olympian League.