An FA Cup match between Altrincham and Notts County descended into chaos after a thick fog all but obscured the pitch – and made life all but impossible for commentators.
Notts County, who sit in the third-tier League One, narrowly avoided a major upset to the fifth-tier Altrincham on penalties after scores were tied at 2-2 after extra time.
But the shootout, as well as the later stages of the match, was played under a heavy blanket of fog at Moss Lane.
By the 83rd minute, players, spectators and broadcasters alike could barely see the ball, with Callum Roberts finding the back of the net in the low net for Notts County to tie the match up at 2-2.
“We will try our best to let you know who has got the ball,” BBC commentator Steve Bower said.
Things got even worse during the shootout, to the point where Alrincham fans attempted to put off Notts County penalty takers by flashing their phone lights behind the goals – or maybe just to see the kick.
BBC Two broadcasters even had to resort to a camera behind the goals to show the decisive penalty, with the standard side-on shot almost entirely obscured.
Commentators joked that they “hadn’t the foggiest” about what was going on, with Bower later elaborating further on just what they had to endure.
“From where we were, opposite the dugouts, once the play went to the centre circle and beyond, we couldn’t see a thing,” he said.
“We couldn’t see which team had the ball, let alone which player had the ball, after about the 60th minute.
“I just kept looking down at my phone and it was text message after text message from people saying, ‘You’re sounding great, but I can’t see a thing’.
“In the end, you have to roll with it and do the best you can … Even on the penalties, you were having to rely on the crowd’s reaction before committing to the tale.”
Bower added that the match was “very, very close to getting called off”, with players forced to reduce their passes to the ten metres in front of them.
Former Notts County striker Mark Stallard, calling on BBC Radio Nottingham, likened it to a “spot the ball competition”, saying it was “slightly farcical” to be commentating while unable to see players or linesmen on the far side of the pitch.
TNT Sports commentators had just as tough a time, leading to an amusing reaction during the penalty shootout.
“He’s put it wide, I think,” commentator Adam Summerton said after Notts County’s Max Sanders aimed from the spot.
“It’s hard to tell, I’m sorry, but it’s so hard to see up here – no, it’s in.
“I’m really sorry, it’s so hard for us to see up here.”
Summerton needed a replay to confirm the shot had indeed hit the target, while Notts County fans, unable to see from the other side of the stadium, only began cheering when it became clear the Altrincham fans weren’t.