MACRON Welsh League Division Two Croesyceiliog today slammed Conference South Newport County for a late hour decision they say will cost them £1,000 they cannot afford.

County have pulled out of tomorrow night's Gwent Senior Cup semi-final at Woodland Road claiming they can't field a side, though they are able to field a side for a league game against Hayes tonight.

The Gwent County FA will charge County with breaking the fixture and after receiving their reply will decide what action to take.

That could include awarding Croesyceiliog the tie and a place in the final against Cwmbran Town.

But Croesyceiliog manager Chris Evans is furious the fixture was called off at 48 hours notice which, he believes, shows a lack of respect.

"We have booked the social centre, we have booked food, they've put extra bar staff on, the programmes are printed, I have a sponsor's cheque for the game and this happens," he said.

"To do this to a local side, which will cost us in excess of £1,000, is a financial disaster. The game has been arranged for a month, I cannot believe they cannot raise a team, they have youth players, and it's a case of a little club being treated with disrespect. I am absolutely fuming.

"They've said to compensate for Thursday they will give us a pre-season friendly but that's not the same. It's still a financial loss when we need every penny."

Evans says Croesyceiliog's first and second teams have 23 fixtures to complete and that they will not now play the Gwent Senior Cup game if it is ordered to be rearranged.

In a statement, County Press officer Colin Everett said: "Newport County have two senior games this week (tonight and Saturday) and the youth players are involved in two games as well.

"We also have a number of youth players injured and couldn't put out a side.

"We appreciate that this is unfortunate for Croesyceiliog but our immediate priority is to preserve our status in the Conference South.

"We have offered to take our full first team to Croesyceiliog to make it up to them."