North Riding County FA Senior Cup cancelled

York City were due to play in the first round of the cup at Pickering Town by the end of this month.

The County FA have called the decision “difficult” but believe it to be in the best interests of clubs to not have the additional pressures of playing in the competition this season.

It is hoped that the cup will return for next season.

As it stands, the league campaigns for both York and Pickering are on hold as a result of the knock-on effects of coronavirus at Steps 2 and 4.

City at present have five games to make up and are currently sitting out a two-week hiatus in action as debates over funding continue.

Northern Premier League north/west division side Pickering, meanwhile, have this term played just nine games, the last of which was on November 3. The Pikes’ league has been suspended up to and including March 6, with clubs primed for a null and void decision.

This is the second season in a row York have not been able to see out the competition.

The Minstermen made it to the semi-finals of last term’s Senior Cup but withdrew in August following disruption to the football season as a result of the escalating coronavirus pandemic.

A statement on the NRCFA’s website reads: “Following consultation with the competing clubs, North Riding FA has taken the difficult decision to cancel the 2020/21 North Riding FA Senior Cup competition.

“We have taken into account the views shared with us and understand the difficulties that those clubs in the National League System, in particular, are facing, including potential fixture congestion and financial pressures.

“These factors, alongside the ongoing uncertainty about when football may be able to return and the number of games remaining to be played in the competition, have led us to believing that it will not be feasible, nor in the best interests of the clubs, to conclude the competition this season.

“We look forward to the return of the competition for the 2021/22 season.”