Burgess slams "farcical" fixture scehdule (From Dudley News)

Burgess slams "farcical" fixture scehdule

12:00pm Friday 14th September 2012 in Football

DUDLEY Town boss Andy Burgess has blasted the West Midlands Premier League’s “farcical” fixture schedule.

The Robins play their seventh league fixture on Saturday at Wellington Amateurs, the second time they have faced the Shropshire side this season, while they have also played Black Country Rangers and Wellington twice.

Burgess, whose side have also played several FA Cup and Vase matches, believes the schedule is unfair.

He said: “It’s just been ridiculous, we were supposed to have a free weekend on Saturday but are now playing Amateurs.

“Since the start of the season we have played twice a week and it does not make any sense, we will have played seven game and only faced four different teams.

“You have teams like Lye, who were knocked out in the first round of the cup, and have played only three league games, while Black Country Rangers have played 10.

“It’s not the fact our players are worn out but they are picking up knocks and then don’t have time to recover.

“It’s a farce and I know I’m not the only person who thinks it.”

The Robins were left to rue poor finishing as they went out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 home defeat to Nuneaton Griff last Saturday.

After beating Halesowen Town in the previous round and dominating against Griff, Burgess admitted defeat was hard to take.

He said: “I think they should have been dressed in a striped jacket and a swag bag, they stole the victory from us.

“We could play the game another 15 times and win every time.

“They had one shot on goal in the entire game and it went in. We hit the woodwork three times and missed sitters.

“I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, though I guess I am, but I don’t think we will play a worse team than them all season.

“I couldn’t believe how poor they were and you wondered how they had got to that stage.

“We only have ourselves to blame.”

Lye Town will be looking to advance in the FA Vase on Saturday when they welcome near neighbours Cradley Town for a second qualifying round clash.

They warmed up with a 2-0 win over Willenhall Town on Tuesday, with Dudley Sports enjoying a 3-1 win against Darlaston Town on the same night. Sports visit Willenhall on Saturday.