Bass Vase drop-out angers organisers

Notts opted to withdraw from the competition - that they have won two years in a row - earlier in the week, due to a lack of players.

Following the decision by Chairman Jeff Moore to scrap the club's Youth Academy in May, Notts have already angered local clubs Gedling Town and Dunkirk - plus Burton Albion, who they were also due to face in the Bass Vase competition this evening - by backing out of pre-arranged friendlies designed to blood the club's young players.

Clough: Disappointed

The Magpies still have a handful of second-year YTS players who train under Mike Whitlow, but were unable to field a team to face Burton in the competition's second game this evening, with the first-team taking on Sheffield Utd at Meadow Lane.

"The committee are very disappointed to receive this news," said Bass Vase Chairman Dave Twigg.

"Notts County are the current holders of the Vase and they have been one of the longest-standing supporters of the competition.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first occasion that a competing club has been unable to fulfil a fixture — in this case a fixture that had been arranged some time ago.

"We are particularly disappointed for the supporters of both teams and our host club, Rocester FC."

Burton boss Nigel Clough, who had previously expressed his annoyance after Notts cancelled the first pre-arranged friendly between the two teams, was also disappointed at the decision.

"It is a shame that some of the young lads, who would have played against Notts County, will miss out," he said.