COLIN West is set to move to Conference rivals Kettering to ease Northwich Vics' wage bill.

The release of the 36-year-old striker, signed on a one-month non-contract basis from Rushden & Diamonds earlier this month, is a symptom of the Greens' FA Cup exit.

Chairman Rod Stitch said: "He wasn't going to be here on a long-term basis, but would have still been with us if we had stayed in the cup.

"We've looked at our expenses and decided to let him go."

Manager Mark Gardiner will this week attempt to trim his squad further by re-circulating the details of transfer-listed trio Damien Logan, Rory Prendergast and Nathan Peel.

David Castro-Pearson, a 19-year-old signing from Luton Town last month, will also be made available after just two substitute appearances for the club.

The situation was exemplified on Saturday as the crowd for the 3-3 Conference draw against Stevenage Borough dropped by more than 500 from the previous week's FA Cup tie with Hednesford Town.

Stitch added: "It was the reaction I expected to us going out of the cup. It was always going to happen, which is disappointing as it just shows how fickle the fans are."

Ian Cooke's return to training should soon compensate for the loss of West, as could the potential promotion to the first team of Lee Poland, who has found the net regularly for the reserves this season.

Another youngster, Gary Fletcher, proved the talent available from within with a goal in his first start of the season on Saturday.

This Saturday, Northwich will play their Conference fixture at Woking, which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on September 25.

VICS have been drawn at home to Altrincham in the second round of the Umbro Cheshire FA Senior Cup on Tuesday, November 16 - a repeat of last year's final.

It will also be a replay of the MacMillan Trophy tie between the clubs, which will take place at the Drill Field a week earlier.

VICS have agreed to play Hereford United on Sunday, November 14, to avoid clashing with the first leg of the England v Scotland Euro 2000 play-off.

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