National League comment on why match referee did not switch to coloured ball in Chesterfield's match against Solihull Moors after heavy snowfall

Chesterfield's Akwasi Asante battles for possession against Solihull.

Around an hour before kick-off, snow began to fall, covering the Technique pitch within no time.

Thankfully, volunteers sprung into action and cleared the pitch markings and both penalty boxes at half-time.

But, for some reason, the match referee, Paul Marsden, did not think a different coloured ball was needed.

Many supporters questioned why Marsden had not opted to switch to an orange/yellow ball and Chesterfield’s official Twitter account said this was because ‘you must use the match ball which is issued by the National League’.

Some Spireites fans replied in utter disbelief.

@Gee_Bee_Man: “Too daft to laugh at.”

@IamTheMyth1: “So, it's spot the ball and spot the snowball.”

Snow being cleared from the pitch ahead of the game.

@lukeCFC25: “If you spray paint it orange, it’s still technically the same ball isn’t it?”

@DarrenNicholl17: “Get luminous paint out.”

And the Blues’ cameraman, Andy Barker, added: “That was a hell of a game to film for me today jeez where is the ball lol did my best.”

We asked the National League for some clarity and a spokesperson said in a statement: "Match management issues of this nature are to be decided at the match referee's discretion, with agreement from both clubs. In this circumstance, the National League would not have enforced this league rule, had the match referee felt the match ball visibility could have caused an abandonment."

So, it turns out, all that squinting was for nothing and the referee could have allowed a different coloured ball to be used…2021 carrying on where 2020 left off. Bonkers!