BOSS Mark Yates had admitted his disappointment at the cancellation of tomorrow's game against FC United but agrees it's a case of 'safety first'.

The clash against the recently-formed but hugely successful FC United was due to be one of the highlights of the pre-season programme.

But with tomorrow's game definitely off due to the torrential rainfall in the area that is now approaching very dangerous levels along roads and streets, it's a case of Plan B for the gaffer who will now put the squad through their paces in training tomorrow at the training ground.

"I've never known anything like this in pre-season in my life," exclaimed the Harriers' boss today.

"It's normally the lads moaning about the baking hot heat but it certainly hasn't been that this time around!

"We've had a couple of bright days and the pitch out there was looking absolutely fantastic and then we've had this incredible deluge since about eight o'clock last night.

"It's been non-stop and unfortunately now it's unplayable.

"Rather than hang about we've listened to the forecast and spoken to a few people and it's not going to change much before tomorrow so we've decided to call it off."

Harriers will now have to wait until Tuesday night's scheduled fixture against Cheltenham Town at Aggborough to get some match-action under their belts.

But on missing out on the chance to meet Karl Marginson's troops, Yates continued: "I was really looking forward to it, they're a good club and they've come out of nothing and done well.

"But in the long-term it's about the safety of the players and the supporters.

"The pitch is looking great at this stage of the summer and we don't want to wreck it by playing a game that doesn't need to be played.

"But we'll get on with it and train tomorrow - the pitch at the training ground is a good absorber of the rain, probably better.

"We'll have a practice game tomorrow now, not quite the same intensity but we have to make the most of it because there's nothing we can do."