REDDITCH United manager Liam McDonald was left fuming after Saturday’s clash at Bideford was called off at short notice.

The Southern League match was postponed after after 1pm following a burst of rain.

The pitch had passed an early inspection in the morning but the wet weather forced it off after United had made the 180 mile trip and arrived at the Devon outfit.

McDonald said: “We had arrived a bit earlier and I was just setting up my team line-up and tactics when we were told the game was off.

“I was bitterly disappointed with the officials at Bideford.

“It’s common sense, if the pitch is wet and there’s more rain on the way then the game should be called off.

“If the officials at Bideford wanted the game on they could have stuck a fork in the pitch, or they should have called it off in the morning.”

United suffered more weather woe on Monday night when their Birmingham Senior Cup clash at home to Solihull Moors was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Valley Stadium.

Meanwhile, Redditch will unleash new signing Danico Johnson on relegation-battling Bedworth at the Valley Stadium on Saturday (3pm ko).

The young forward signed from Hednesford Town last week.

Luke Shearer is back from injury, while Simeon Maye remains sidelined with a foot problem.

Despite having a number of games called off in recent weeks because the wet weather, United are very much in the hunt for the play-off spots.

They go to Cirencester next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).

McDonald commented: “Even though we haven’t played, the other teams have slipped up.

“We’re in a very good position and now we want to go on a good run and make sure we’re in the play-off spots and also staying close to the leaders.”