St. Clears first team manager Charlie Smith has branded the Pembrokeshire league a 'joke' after learning his side have been deducted three points through non-fulfilment of a fixture.

The usually laid back and measured Smith, who gives considered and thoughtful appraisals of his team's performances week in week out, wasn't even made aware of the decision until told of it by an Observer Sport reporter.

The decision came following a league meeting last Wednesday that Smith attended alongside former Saints boss Mark Snelling. They were summoned to put their points of view across to the charges after the league committee convened to seek reasons for them refusing to play against Milford United during a cold snap back in January.

In a week that saw countless games called off due to frozen pitches and freezing temperatures, St. Clears travelled to Milford United, but on arrival discovered the pitch was still frozen in places.

The home side and referee deemed the pitch playable, but St. Clears thought otherwise and refused to play for fear of players picking up a serious injury.

"Both Mark and I have over 50 years experience between us in local football and there was no way that pitch was playable," fumed Smith. "In some places you couldn't even get a key in the ground, it was that hard, and someone could have got seriously injured and the safety of players is paramount.

"We even took pictures of the pitch as proof, but they have obviously gone with the referee's decision and to hear of this is very disappointing and shows what a joke the Pembrokeshire league is, if that's the case."

League secretary Brian Hawkins said he couldn't say anything about the decision, but did add that St. Clears could appeal against the verdict providing they go through the right channels.

"I can't make any further comment on it. They were charged with non-fulfilment of a fixture and were deducted three points. They have a chance of appeal through the West Wales FA should they want to, but I can't say anymore about it."

Mr Smith was unsure whether the club would follow protocol and appeal the decision, despite the team propping up the division two table with three points from 21 games and relegation a distinct possibility.

Prior to the deduction, they had six points, having won just once all season and drawn three.