Chairman Lee Carter has said that there is “no possibility” of AFC Telford United withdrawing from the Setanta Shield after seeing their northern area final at Barrow abandoned.

Last night’s clash lasted just 22 minutes before referee Andy Halliday called a halt to proceedings due to extremely high winds which were breaking up advertising hoardings.

Telford already have a packed fixture schedule as they chase glory in both the Blue Square North and the FA Trophy.

Boss Rob Smith suggested that he wanted the club to consider pulling out from the Setanta Shield – but Carter has dismissed such talk.

“There is no chance of that,” he insisted. “We would incur fines and the wrath of Conference officials and their main sponsors.

“Whether we can put out a team that does justice to a semi-final, who knows.”

Telford are now working to re-arrange the Barrow match with either Thursday, March 12 or Thursday, March 19 the likely slot.

Either date would cause massive problems for the Bucks with FA Trophy semi-finals matches against York City on March 14 and 21.

Carter added: “My preference would be to move the Setanta final back and that would give us a bit of time to play with – but the organisers do not appear willing to do that.”

Telford have already tried twice to play the Barrow tie, the game having originally been postponed two weeks ago due to a frozen pitch.

But there were no complaints from Smith at the decision last night, the Telford chief admitting the game could not go on.

“It seems to be cursed,” he said. “Some sheeting fell on the pitch before the game and if that had hit anyone it could have been serious.

“It was only a bit of advertising hoarding during the game, but what happened before was serious.

“The game was a farce and I’m just devastated for the supporters that made the effort to come up here.”

By CHRIS HUDSON