A visit to the farm or zoo
Recent posts about non-League teams competing in the FA Trophy or FA Vase with numbers in their name have sparked some interest, but now we’re off to the zoo. Cammell Laird 1905, however, sparked interest in numbers and animals. I frantically searched the list of entrants of this year’s FA Trophy, seeking a team with pig, cow
or horse in their name, but to no avail. Indeed, my searches only found a handful of creatures in the FA Trophy – Bath City, Melksham Town, Whitehawk and Cray Valley Paper Mills. Yes, you do have to look hard.
Vase teams from the zoo
Not so, in the FA Vase where there is an impressive list. There are the obvious ones like East Cowes Victoria Athletic and Cowes Sports, while London claims the jungle entries with London Tigers and London Lions. Some obvious ones include Camelford, Mousehole, Molesey, and Bearsted. Some are more embedded in their name – FC Stratford, Khalsa Football Federation, Stapenhill, Newton Aycliffe and Newton Abbot Spurs. Finally, Letchworth Garden City Eagles just wanted to make sure they got on the list. I am sure there are more.
Brazilian referees
Wilton Pereira Sampaio, the Brazilian referee in charge of the England v France made himself rather unpopular on Saturday evening. Perhaps, he had England’s interests at heart, though. He didn’t give the penalty that Harry Kane missed, waving away English appeals. Just think, before VAR, we could have moaned about Wilton, and Harry wouldn’t have missed the penalty. Anyhow, can you remember these three other football officials – Tofiq Bahramov, Jorge Larrionda and Ali Bin Nasser? Why should we remember them? Anyway, that’s enough of the bigger stage. Answers next week, although Google can solve it more quickly if you can’t wait.
Same old teams (not at the zoo)
Letters of complaint need to be addressed promptly. I received an email from a supporter of East Thurrock United, who asked to remain anonymous. We, of course, appreciate, Ken, that some supporters like to remain anonymous. (Actually, Ken isn’t his name). But, let’s call him Ken for the sake of argument. Ken complained that East Thurrock United never appear in this column, and the same teams are always mentioned. Not so, Ken. East Thurrock have appeared a massive four times before – in editions 8, 27, 46 and 48 – try the search facility on the fatrophy.co.uk website. Last Saturday, East Thurrock won away to New Salamis by a 2-1 margin, scoring both goals in the dying minutes.
End of the line for Uxbridge?
This weekend’s FA Trophy tie between Dagenham & Redbridge and Uxbridge brings together two teams that couldn’t be further apart. Uxbridge are the
lowest-ranked team left in the competition, currently playing in the Isthmian South Central League. They are just below halfway at the moment. Their opponents are mid-table in the National League. Interestingly (or not), Uxbridge is the western extremity of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly Underground lines, whereas Dagenham is just a couple of stops from the eastern end of the District line. I tried to count the number of stops between the two stations but got three different answers and gave up.
Gloucester on Tyne
The draw for the last 64 in the FA Trophy is regionalised with a north–south split. Mind you, I expect Gloucester City are wondering how they come to be heading to Gateshead for their tie. If any Gloucester City fans are thinking of walking to the game, Google advises that you need 83 hours to get there. Imagine doing that and finding the game called off at the last minute.
Earning their stripes at the zoo
A reader has been in contact, claiming Brigg Town from the Northern Counties East League Division One are more sensible than Newcastle United and Notts County. While all three teams wear black and white stripes, Brigg Town take the nickname, the Zebras. Have you ever seen a magpie with black and
white stripes? Fair comment, guys.
This week’s favourite result
This is becoming a new feature, I feel. My favourite result from last week’s games comes from the A&S Interiors Devon League South & West (yes, two ampersands). The scoreline that caught my eye – Paignton Saints 4 DC Auto Repairs 3. I wonder if the manager blew a gasket when DC conceded the late fourth goal, or did they come to park the bus?
My second favourite result of the week
I know it must be a misprint, but I liked this one too. In the Kitchen Kit South Western Peninsula League Walter C Parson Cup 3rd Round, the result reads Elmore Crediton United 0. Will there may be a Kitchen Kit South Western Peninsula League Walter C Parson Cup 4th Round tie for Elmore Crediton United?
