ROB Small has labelled AFC Sudbury “arrogant” after they sent an under-21 side to play Bowers & Pitsea in a pre-season friendly without any notice.

The Bowers manager was expecting to take on the Ryman One North outfit’s first team, providing a good test with the Essex Senior League season looming, only to find Sudbury had sent a youth team to the Len Salmon Stadium.

Bowers won the game 9-1 but Small was furious at the lack of communication from the Ryman club and said Bowers would never have agreed to the match had they known.

“There was no communication with us about them sending an under-21 side and quite frankly I am disgusted at their arrogance,” he said. “We would never have agreed to it.

“There are plenty of clubs out there with a first team who would have appreciated the game so it is a real disappointment. AFC are one division higher than Bowers and we are a club that came second last season – arguably the closest thing to a Ryman team that isn’t a Ryman team.

“What has happened in my opinion is they have been offered what they saw as a better game and fobbed us off.”

Small said the Bowers groundstaff had been working tirelessly to get the pitch ready for the match, as Sudbury’s own pitch was having a new surface installed.

Although he was pleased his new signings Chris Bryan and Michael Begg both scored goals.

“It fired up our boys to make a statement, which we did. I don't think they will be in a rush to send us a reserve side again.

“It is not the first time we have been let down this season. Brentwood Town arranged a game with us which they subsequently cancelled when they got a better offer, and a game we arranged with Maldon & Tiptree was cancelled because the pitch wasn't going to be ready yet they hosted Chelmsford City 48 hours later.”

Bowers are hosting Canvey Island tomorrow in their latest pre-season game.