HEREFORDSHIRE Football Association chief executive Jim Lambert has said the final of the HFA County Challenge Cup is still set to be played at Edgar Street on Easter Monday, March 28.

Hereford and Westfields have scheduled Midland Football League Premier Division games on that date, with the Bulls' away trip at Alvechurch being a potential title-decider.

Westfields, who are due to be home to Sporting Khalsa on Easter Monday, will be away to either Lads Club or Leominster Town in the semi-finals of the County Cup, while Hereford have a home game against Kington Town if they manage to get through their re-arranged quarter-final tie against Bromyard Town.

The Midland Football League season finishes on April 30, but Hereford could have two cup finals in May - the League Cup final and the FA Vase final.

If the County Cup final is on Easter Monday and Hereford are in it, they would, as it stands, have to either postpone the Alvechurch game or bring it forward.

Westfields had to rearrange a scheduled league tie against Stourport Swifts last season due to being in the HFA County Challenge Cup final against Wellington.

The semi-finals of this season's competition are set to be played in January.

"It has always been on Easter Monday and the vote was taken to have it at Edgar Street irrespective of whether Hereford get there or not," said Lambert.

"We always try to be accommodating to any club but in priniciple we have the final say as to when it will take place.

"Would they want to play it in May when they would want to start their pitch maintenance,

"If we leave it until then, there wouldn't be much turnaround between then and the start of pre-season.

"A lot of people also think they will get to Wembley for the FA Vase final, so they would want to prepare for that."

Lambert also backed the decision to have the final at Edgar Street, even if Hereford are in it.

The vote, Lambert said, was backed by members representing a number of county clubs.

"Why change tradition?" asked Lambert.

"We do not know what the crowd will be.

"What if 2,500 fans wanted to watch Hereford in the County Cup final but couldn't because we decided to hold it elsewhere?

"Plus, most local players would like the chance to play at Edgar Street."

Lambert also wanted to place on record that last night's draw, which saw Hereford and Westfields kept apart, was open and fair.

"Every name was in the bag and it was done in full view of 12 people," said Lambert.

"We were always accused of keeping Westfields and Pegasus apart, but we don't care which clubs are in the final - it has no benefit to us.

"If it's not Hereford versus Westfields, then it means a new club will be in it, which is great."