Are you ready? FA Trophy 2022-23 kicks off
The first game in this season’s FA Trophy is on Friday evening, kicking off at 1945. The combatants are Bury Town (who play in blue not red) and Stowmarket Town. The game takes
place close to the venue of last season’s FA Trophy quarter-final between Needham Market and Stockport County. Indeed, the Needham Market game was part of my FA Trophy trail to Wembley. I had the pleasure of staying in Bury St Edmunds, where a local told me that everyone calls the town Bury rather than its full name. I asked whether Needham Market is shortened to Needham. “No, it’s Needham Market”, was the stern reply. The second game in this season’s competition kicks off 15 minutes later. It features two big city teams – City of Liverpool (also not red) v Sheffield. I’ll go for two away wins.
Book launch: to be read soon!
The book From Hashtag United to Wembley should be available on Amazon by Friday; a separate email will be sent out when it’s available. The book follows my FA Trophy trail last season. I started with the Hashtag United v Chipstead tie in the First Round Qualifying, following the winners of each tie all the way to Wembley. On my way, I met many interesting people, explored towns and cities, big and small and, of course, had a beer or two in each place. It’s a light-
hearted look at the serious business of reaching Wembley, culminating in Bromley’s 1-0 win over Wrexham. More news will follow.
Reds missed
Workington AFC, originally known as Workington Reds, are one of the teams we are following on this year’s Virtual FA Trophy trail. Voted into the Third Division North in 1951, many will remember the years of struggle for Workington until they were relegated from the Football League in 1977, being replaced by Wimbledon. The closest they came to success was in 1966, when they almost gained promotion to the Second Division of the Football League. Their former managers include Bill Shankly, Keith Burkinshaw and Ken Furphy. Nowadays, Workington play in the Northern Premier League. They have started this season with one win and one draw from their first six games and face Runcorn Linnets from the same division. It will be a tough game for The Reds.
New Salamis
New Salamis are the other team that we will be following. They travel to Welwyn Garden City, which, believe it or not, is not the original Garden City. That honour goes to Letchworth Garden City, thanks to Sir Ebenezer Howard. Sir Eb proposed that garden cities should be developed on municipal land for which “men of probity” would act as trustees. And, yes, there’s surprisingly more on this topic in the book! New Salamis play in the Isthmian League North and were formed by fans of Cypriot team Famagusta New Salamis in 1971. Having been promoted last season, they have started well this season with three wins and a draw from four games. They are definitely a team to watch.
Re-read
In the FA Vase, Saffron Dynamo beat Ingles with two extra-time goals to win 4-2. However, the tie will be replayed, as the referee should have gone straight to penalties after 90 minutes. Although the game has been declared null and void, the red card received by an Ingles player will count. Clouds with silver linings for Ingles, perhaps; Saffron Dynamo are not so happy.
Red Audi
Al D, a supporter of Witton Albion, wrote to us last week to complain that the club had never been mentioned in this review. Well, here’s the promised mention. It
seems there wasn’t too much to cheer last weekend as Witton Albion lost 1-0 in the FA Cup at home to FC United of Manchester, a club that often seems to find its way into these columns. I am curious what car Al D drives. Is it an Audi?
Seeing red: taking the pee
Connor Maseko was not only the player to get sent off in last weekend’s FA Cup ties. However, he was relieved. Let me explain more. With the score at 0-0 against Shepton Mallet after 76 minutes, Maseko, the Blackfield & Langley keeper, retrieved the ball from behind a hedge. While behind the hedge, he decided to have a pee. The referee saw red and dismissed Maseko. The game goes to a replay, which Shepton Mallet will host; they have tweeted that they are looking for portaloo companies to sponsor the game. Surely, that’s taking the…
Decent exposure
At Pershore Town, a club near Worcester, there is far more decent exposure going on. The team is appearing naked for a Christmas calendar. The purpose is to raise awareness of testicular cancer. Would you believe me if I told you that Pershore Town are nicknamed the Plums? Well, it’s true, and the #checkyourplums campaign hopes to raise money for the cause.
