Hi there, sorry I’ve only just seen this reply.
The plugin that I am using is Sportspress, I understand exactly what your saying, though sportspress and the way it’s built queues games via the scheduled post feature and publishes them once the match has begun.
Scheduled posts via Sportspress are made (by default) publicly available and on the face of it have the same functions and features of a regular published post.
I haven’t resolved this issue and is something that I still wish to pursue.
Thanks for getting back to me.