SILSDEN boss James Gill believes his side’s West Riding County FA Cup semi-final with Harrogate Town has been devalued after a mix-up over when the tie should be played.

Confusion reigned as the Cobbydalers thought they were due to visit the National League North high-fliers on Tuesday, only to be told that morning by Harrogate and the county FA that no game had been scheduled.

The fixture had been put up on both clubs’ respective league websites for that day but Silsden secretary John Barclay confirmed yesterday the tie would now be played at Town’s ground on Thursday, March 17.

That means the relegation-threatened Cobbydalers face four games in eight days.

Silsden were looking forward to the chance to reach the final, which was held at Bradford City last season, but now Gill says it will become a secondary priority, being squeezed in alongside three league games – including a derby clash with rivals Barnoldswick Town two days earlier (on Tuesday, March 15).

Gill said: “If we are playing Tuesday, Thursday, sandwiched between two Saturday games, there is no way I will play any first-team players (in the cup tie). Our league survival is a higher priority and to ask the first team to play four games in eight days is not on.

“I think the semi-final has lost value.”

Gill spent much of Tuesday afternoon trying to find out why the game at the CNG Stadium was not going ahead after Harrogate stated on social media nothing had been scheduled.

Aaron Bannister, competitions co-ordinator at the West Riding County FA, said the association had not been made aware the fixture was due to take place on Tuesday and that “no appointment of any match officials had been made”.

Gill said: “I am quite annoyed. I’ve spent the afternoon on the phone with the West Riding County FA, who for some reason are in agreement with Harrogate Town that the game had never been confirmed. I don’t believe that.”

With 19 of their 42 North West Counties League games still to play – they face a midweek game every week until the end of April – the last thing Silsden needed was to be kicking their heels this week.

Barclay, who said the club had also offered to play the game yesterday, said: “It is frustrating as we could have organised a league game instead.”

Harrogate and the county FA stated on their websites that the tie – originally postponed on February 9 – had been switched to Silsden’s Angel Telecom Stadium on March 17.

But the Cobbydalers are due to host a St Patrick’s Day function on the revised date and the clash will take place at the original venue.