The planned warm-up contest between New Brighton and the Saints has been cancelled at short notice because the Reeds Lane outfit have been unable to call on enough players during prime holiday-time.

To be fair, we would not have been taking a full-strength squad for the same reason, but coach McGovern was looking forward to trying-out some of our aspiring youngsters in a fully-competitive senior match.

The only competitive outing, now, before the Cheshire Cup game away at Wilmslow on 31 August, will be an opposed training session with Ellesmere Port at Riveacre Park next Thursday, 22 August.

After that session there will be a BBQ for players and club members who attend.