SECRETARY Kevin Preece insisted City “don’t want to get into a slanging match with Raiders” after explaining why the inaugural Worcester derby will not take place.

City pulled out of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup citing fixture congestion after competition chiefs said the first-round tie against Raiders must take place by Friday, March 13.

That directive came after Raiders got told to play Shifnal Town in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division on Wednesday, March 4 – 24 hours after the third date proposed for the tie.

Raiders manager Karl Gormley argued his club had “made more of an effort” to fit in the clash than City and had offered the use of its now-up-and-running Claines Lane base.

READ MORE | Raiders "made more of an effort" than City to get Worcester derby on

Preece refuted that but stressed City had no interest in a war of words.

“Without playing four games in eight days there was no way we could fit it in,” said Preece.

“Raiders had to cancel Tuesday, March 3 because they were told to play on Wednesday 4, the following week we play on Tuesday and they (Raiders) wouldn’t want to play on that Thursday (5th).

“They didn’t offer us any dates because we were the home team. We looked and thought ‘how do we fit this in before Friday?’

“In the emails to us, which includes the (people running the) competition, they did not offer Claines Lane other than when the draw first came out and we decided at the point to play from Bromsgrove.

“It was a collective decision based on the fixture congestion. We have injuries and suspensions, lads who are playing with knocks as well.

“Those were our reasons and for us, that’s the end of it. We don’t want to get into a slanging match with Raiders, we wish them and Stourport Swifts all the best in the next round.”

Preece also confirmed the club had yet to receive any update on complaints raised by City about opponents Heather St John’s and Atherstone Town following issues at matches during February.

Meanwhile, City has rearranged all of its Midland Football League Premier Division fixtures for 2020-21 with just an MFL Cup quarter-final away to Brocton or Hinckley AFC or Ashby Ivanhoe still to be weaved in.

Hinckley host Ashby in round two on March 24 with the winners travelling to Brocton on April 9.

City’s league trip to AFC Wulfrunians has been moved to Saturday, March 7 at the request of the host club.

CITY'S REVISED SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY

Sat 29 - Selston H

MARCH

Sat 7 - AFC Wulfrunians A

Tues 10 - Gresley A

Sat 14 - Racing Club Warwick A

Sat 21 - Stourport Swifts A

Wed 25 - Tividale H

Sat 28 - Coventry Sphinx H

APRIL

Weds 1 - Sporting Khalsa H

Tues 7 - Haughmond A

Sat 11 - Walsall Wood H

Sat 18 - Gresley H

Tues 21 - Lye Town A

Sat 25 Walsall Wood H