MANAGER John Snape insisted he has no regrets over making nine changes for Worcester City’s Midland Football League (MFL) Cup tie at Romulus.

City bowed out 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in Monday’s quarter-final at Castle Vale.

Chris Withington, Mat Birley and Jamal Lawrence joined James Baldwin, Joel Caines and Jamie Smith on the list of walking wounded with Callum McFarlane (cup tied) and George Forsyth (FA Select call-up) sitting out.

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Snape also opted to rest goalkeeper Sam Gilder, defenders Luke English and Grant Horton, midfielder Liam Lockett and striker Jordan Harrison, although three of those emerged from the bench.

City bosses have shuffled the pack at every stage of the MFL Cup this season but Snape was adamant the volume of changes had been enforced.

“You have to take into account that we had five players injured, that was one aspect we had to look at and I still think it was the right decision to let George showcase his talent having been called up,” said Snape.

“We still played a system that suited the squad we had available and I think that showed, especially in the last 20 minutes when we deserved to go on and win the game.

“When you look at Milo Elmes, Riley Keasey, Josh Willis, Ethan Moran and Liam Lockett, we have talent in abundance and the test for them now is to find that consistency, that is their challenge with a view to next season.”

There were more injury worries to contend with on the night with defender Sam Hall and goalkeeper Matt Gwynne withdrawn from action.

Gwynne was writhing in pain after being caught on the back of the head by team-mate Keasey as he slid in low to gather a through ball and missed featuring for Herefordshire FA in their 125th anniversary match against an FA Select XI last night (Tuesday) having suffered with dizziness. 

“Sam went over on his ankle, it looks like a sprain and we don’t yet know how bad it will be,” Snape added.

“I am gutted for him. He came on at Loughborough and did well and the idea was to integrate him back into the side after a knee injury.

“I thought he had started the game really well so it was a shame for him.

“It was disappointing to have to make two enforced changes. Their lad pushed Riley into Gwynney which led to him taking a knock to the head.

“We could not be sure how bad it was so we had to whip him off. Matt was disappointed but I stand by the decision, it was the right call.”

On the game, Snape said: "I thought we started quite well, we wanted to pass it and so did they so it opened up into quite an entertaining game.

"Maybe we made too many passes, especially in the last third. We brought them on a little bit and did not stretch them in behind.

"We fell behind to a goal where the ball came in too easily from the side and Milo was left with the man arriving in the six-yard box.

"It took us a while to get back into our stride, confidence went a little bit but slowly but surely we got back on track.

"Ethan had a great chance to score one-on-one and their keeper had to make a couple of saves,

"We were always going to find it difficult from set-pieces but coped well.

"In the second half I thought it was there for us to win, after 10 or 15 minutes of us steadying the ship I thought it only looked like there would be one winner.

"We were guilty of not being clinical and finishing off the game.

"Locko (Lockett) hit the bar after coming on, he looked sharp and bright and in the end James Lemon popped up with a goal that would have been worthy of winning any game.

"It was a sublime finish but I am sick of watching us score fantastic goals only to get beaten."