A WAR of words has erupted between local rivals Redditch and Woodrush over the North Midlands One (South) derby match which was postponed last week because of a waterlogged Bromsgrove Road pitch.

Responding to criticism from Woodrush coach Matt Elwell about the late decision to postpone the fixture, Redditch secretary Brian Carr hit back this week labelling his opposite number 'very unsporting'.

"Matt Elwell claims never to have had a game postponed on a Saturday, personally I find that very hard to believe," said a furious Carr. "If it is true he is, to say the least, fortunate.

"For clubs at our level it is an annual occurrence.

"Where was he two years ago when Woodrush postponed at the last minute against Redditch?

"I recall we were getting into cars to travel when the phone call came.

"Obviously no club wants to postpone at the last minute, but we had no option.

"We judged on the Thursday the pitch would be unfit and this information was relayed to Woodrush.

"They insisted the decision be made by a neutral referee not a Redditch official

"The appointed referee chose to check the pitch on Saturday and agreed it was unfit.

"So Woodrush had known for 48 hours but chose not to acknowledge that, just like they knew we asked to postpone the match way back in September but chose to forget that too.

"Woodrush knew we were under-strengh and would not be able to field a legal team on the 11th yet they insisted it went ahead, technically legal but very very unsporting.

"The game should have been rearranged for the next free weekend which was on Saturday.

"However Woodrush would not have been able to field a strong team.

"If we took a leaf out of the Woodrush book of sportsmanship we could have insisted it took place and claimed the points if they failed to show, however we did not do that.

"We are reasonable people and are willing to play in April when it is more convenient for them."

Redditch sit second from bottom of North Midlands (South) One and in need of playing their three games in hand on a Bredon Star team immediately above them in the table.

Bredon have a three-point advantage over their pursuers in the league's relegation battle with a nominal two relegation berths.

Woodrush are sitting pretty in mid-table.