IT’S the game the footballing “gods” do not want to end.

Heavy rain, high winds and, in Radcliffe on Saturday, thunder and lightning has put paid to a crucial cup tie four times – and the contest is still to be decided as rival teams move two rounds further on.

The saga began on October 19 when Bury-based FC United of Manchester travelled to Cheshire to play Witton Albion in the FA Trophy first round. FC were leading 2-1 and then the heavens opened and Witton grabbed a late equaliser during a dramatic storm. That meant there had to be a replay at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground on October 23, but heavy rain throughout the day left the pitch waterlogged and the match was postponed. Six days later, heavy rain forced the game to be called off a second time. The two sides gave it another try at Radcliffe Borough’s Stainton Park ground on Saturday (Nov 2) and all was well — until thunder and lightning struck with 15 minutes to go with the score at 2-2.

The referee took the players off and, about 20 minutes later decided to call abandon the game.

Fan James Griffiths said: “Will the game ever have a final result? ”