IT seems it never rains but it pours, for Colchester United.

At a time when the U’s were desperate to get back to action in front of their own supporters and get back to winning ways in their battle to remain in League Two, the weather has scuppered their best laid plans once again.

News of the early postponement this morning of Colchester’s home clash with Doncaster Rovers at the JobServe Community Stadium was disappointing but not unexpected.

Heavy rain throughout the morning in North Essex has left the surface saturated and with more forecast in the hours leading to the scheduled kick-off time, it is hardly surprising that the game is off, particularly given the three-hour midweek trip faced by Doncaster and their fans.

READ MORE: Colchester United's game with Doncaster is postponed

Colchester’s pitch has always presented challenges, ever since they moved to the Community Stadium from their former Layer Road ground in 2008.

Plenty of Robbie Cowling’s money has been spent on it over the years but with heavy clay in the location, drainage and irrigation has always had its issues.

And with the sheer amount of rainfall we have had here in Colchester over recent weeks, the pitch’s existing drainage network has had an extreme amount of water to contend with; certain areas of the surface such as the part situated just in front of the South Stand are notoriously more of a problem than others.

But the reality is that Colchester have now had four home games called off this season - and three in the space of the last four weeks.

Gazette:

It is incredibly frustrating for everyone particularly Danny Cowley, who had targeted the U’s next two home games as a chance for club and supporters to rally together and try and get some valuable points on the board.

Instead, the U’s head coach is now bracing his players for a punishing final six weeks of the season; they are set to play eight games next month in a hectic schedule, as they battle to preserve their EFL status.

Colchester already have seven games in April, with the postponed Doncaster game likely to be rescheduled for next month, too.

READ MORE: Alan Judge sends message to Colchester United after game time

Potentially, Cowley’s side will have to play three games in the space of one week in April – and that is assuming that there are no further postponements to disrupt the schedule yet further.

Colchester will be hoping that their home clash with Walsall, scheduled for this Saturday, will go ahead with more rain forecast for this week.

With the Doncaster game off, all eyes tonight will now be on Forest Green Rovers’ trip to Bradford City and Sutton United’s visit to high-flying Crewe Alexandra.

Grimsby Town, who lie three points above the U’s in the table having played the same number of games, host promotion-chasing MK Dons.

Gazette:

Colchester’s season started off as a damp squib, following the postponement of their opening-day clash with Swindon Town.

With their very Football League existence on the line, the U’s will be desperately hoping that the inclement weather and a subsequent fixture backlog does not mean it finishes that way, too.