THE first-leg of the Isuzu FA Vase semi-final between Worcester City and Great Wakering Rovers at Claines Lane has been postponed.

An evening inspection on Friday, March 29 was done in advance of Great Wakering's long trip on Saturday morning and despite the best efforts of volunteers to protect the Claines surface this week, the rain proved too much to handle.

City had borrowed rain covers from Worcestershire CCC and local non-league club New Dales Vale to try and keep the rain at bay, but the pitch was waterlogged by Friday evening and the decision was made to postpone the clash.

The rearranged fixture must take place within eight days of the cancellation - per FA rules - so it will be moved to April 6. 

City had made efforts to get the game on. Knowing the pitch was likely to struggle, they had provided an alternative solution of Sixways to Great Wakering, but the visitors turned it down in favour of a grass pitch.

But the FA have suggested that they would intervene and play the fixture at Sixways in any case on Saturday, should there be a possibility the game would be postponed for a second time at Claines.

In the aftermath of the postponement, City confirmed that their next home game (Wednesday, April 3 vs Roman Glass St George) will also be moved to the 11,000-seater Sixways.