A cup clash between two soccer rivals has been postponed at short notice.

Ryman League Wivenhoe Town and Jewson Leaguers Clacton Town were due to meet at the Rush Green Bowl last night in the quarter final of the East Anglian Cup.

Clacton's owner Jeff Dewing was angry that Tuesday's decision to postpone the game was left so late.

He said: "We contacted Wivenhoe after they beat Tiptree in the last round for dates to play the game.

"The first date wasn't available because they had a rearranged Ryman fixture, and we then offered two dates for this week.

"The East Anglian organisation got involved and we were told on Saturday the match would go ahead on Wednesday. They then phoned back to say Wivenhoe had five players away with work commitments and the game was postponed.

"It really isn't good enough - this has cost the club money through pulled advertising."

Wivenhoe co-manager Steve Pitt, however, was unapolegetic: "I had left strict instructions that this week was no good for us because we had five players away with work commitments.

"The East Anglian committee became involved and offered March 23 then they came back and said the game was to be played this Wednesday.

"We went back to the organisers and explained the situation and got the game postponed until March 30."

The two teams have close ties with a number of players having played for both clubs.

Former Wivenhoe players Darren Gould, Mitchell Springett, Glen Hepburn, Steve Howe and John Collins all now play for the Seasiders.

Clacton manager Steve Dowman used to manage Wivenhoe, and former Seasiders defender Gary Hudson now plays for the Dragons.

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