Carl Heeley calls for Worcestershire FA Senior Cup changes (From Worcester News)

Worcester City boss wants county competition in pre-season

1:00pm Saturday 27th October 2012 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WORCESTER City manager Carl Heeley would like to see the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup become a pre-season tournament.

Only five teams entered this year’s county competition which Worcester exited at the first hurdle with a 3-1 extra-time defeat to Redditch United on Tuesday.

Heeley feels the cup, which lost Stourport Swifts after their relegation to the Midland Alliance, would be better if it took place before teams begin their league campaigns.

At a time when Blue Square Bet North games are coming thick and fast, City boss Heeley was infuriated to see his small squad pick up more injuries at Redditch.

He said: “I’m not saying the competition should be scrapped but there are only five teams involved this season.

“You must name eight players in your side from your previous week’s team sheet which makes life dificult when you have so many games, as well as suspensions, as we do at the moment.

“Some times during the season, you are grateful for these types of games — the Senior Cup is an opportunity to give matches to players who maybe haven’t played that much recently — but not when you have a run of league and FA Cup fixtures.”

The City manager added: “For me, the cup could be a pre-season competition — that’s when you want some competitive games for your squad.

“If I could have played the kids at Redditch, I would have — it would have been good for them and my senior players could have done without the game.

“We have to play 42 league games over the course of a season with two massive matches coming up today (Boston away) and then Monday (Brackley at home). But I have been hindered by the senior cup match which is a great frustration.”

Worcestershire FA chief executive Nichola Trigg, who joined the body about two months ago, said: “We do regularly review feedback from all participating clubs in all competitions.

“Where we do get suggested changes, which are practical and supported by the parties involved including match officials, they’ll be considered.”