The long-delayed Shropshire Senior Cup final between Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford United will not be played until December at the earliest.
The climax of the 131-year-old competition has been on hold since torrential rain played havoc with the pre-season fixture list.
Tentative talks had taken place about the possibility of playing the match on Tuesday November 11, but those plans were deemed unfeasible with a gruelling set of fixtures ahead for both clubs.
Telford already have three games between now and then, including an FA Cup first round clash with League One side Southend United.
And Shrewsbury Town also have a busy November which includes a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash at home to Dagenham & Redbridge next week as well as a trip to non-Leaguers Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup.
“We want the Senior Cup final played sooner rather than later,” said Shropshire FA spokesman Neil Sambrook.
“We discussed the possibility of playing it the week after next, but it just couldn’t be done as Shrewsbury and Telford both have a lot of fixtures and then there is the possibility of FA Cup replays also.
“It was just freak summer weather that has cost us.”
The disruption was caused when Telford’s semi-final against Bridgnorth was rained off after less than two minutes.
That match then had to be played on Thursday July 28 instead – the date originally set aside for the final.
And neither side then had an available slot to fit the game in before the start of the regular season.
Holders Shrewsbury booked their spot in the final, which is due to be played at the Prostar Stadium, with a victory over Midland Alliance side Market Drayton Town.
They were made to work for it though, the north Shropshire side leading twice before eventually succumbing 3-2.
By SEAN WOZENCROFT
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3 Comments
Why not play it as a five aside competition with other events and use money raised to go to a Shropshire Charity.
That way each club could commit a date but would only need to supply a few players for a shorter match.
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Why not toss a coin to decide & give all the policing costs to charity? Who’s really bothered anyway?
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A five aside game would make a mockery of the Cup, which though much maligned is still a piece of history.
How about the game is played on Monday 29th of December? Both clubs have that date free and it’s over a holiday period.
Oh, and the Shropshire FA rely on their share of gate receipts from this for funding.
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