We’re back
The FA Trophy Review returns just one week after the non-League begins. Negotiations with Fat Rophy to write his column have been protracted, but a contract has now been agreed for another season. So, where do we start? The FA Trophy begins on the weekend of 10/11 September. However, the FA Trophy Review will continue to follow the fortunes of non-League clubs in the 2022-23 season.
Fat Rophy is not sponsored by London Zoo
A rumour has been circulating that I am sponsored by London Zoo and have taken London Zoo to court. This is entirely untrue. The story seems to have arisen from a misunderstanding by an overworked young hack at a local paper. He heard that the FA Trophy is now sponsored by Isuzu. However, as Fat Rophy is arguably better known than the FA Trophy itself, he made the sort of mistake anyone can make. The young hack was
sacked, of course.
From Hashtag United to Wembley
Last season, readers will recall that I followed the winners of each round from Hashtag United all the way to Wembley. The eventual winners were Bromley, winning 1-0 against Wrexham. Over the 11 rounds, I witnessed wins for Chipstead, Bishop’s Stortford, Cheshunt, Stockport County, Wrexham and Bromley, watching games at ten different grounds. As you may have heard, a book called From Hashtag United to Wembley is coming out soon. This will hopefully be published in time for those games on 10/11 September. Next week, I will be able to reveal the book’s cover!
How did my winners do?
There were mixed fortunes last weekend for the six teams that won games in my presence on my FA Trophy trail. Chipstead lost a Preliminary Round FA Cup tie against Tunbridge Wells by a 2-1 margin after taking the lead. Bishop’s Stortford lost 4-1 in a friendly with Peterborough Sports, while Cheshunt can rightly claim win of the week in their first National League South match ever. After conceding two goals to Hampton & Richmond, newly-promoted Cheshunt battled back to win 3-2. As for Stockport County, they have started their League Two campaign after winning the National League with two narrow defeats to Barrow and Stevenage. In the National League, Wrexham came back from 1-0 down to defeat Eastleigh at home 2-1, while Bromley threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 at Wealdstone.
The 2022-23 FA Trophy trail
My 2022-23 FA Trophy trail will be a virtual trail. Sadly, I’m not travelling around the country this year, but I will be following the winners of each round.
Where will I start? This will be announced in two weeks.
Leiston’s penalty shoot-out
Having witnessed Leiston’s departure from the FA Trophy last season at Bishop’s Stortford, it was good to see The Blues win 3-2 at home to Nuneaton Borough. Four of the goals came from the penalty spot with Will Davies, a penalty scorer himself, claiming the only goal from normal play. Leiston have only lost two of their last 11 opening day fixtures.
Wembley not going to Wembley
Wembley FC lost 4-1 to Stansfield in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on Sunday. It means that Wembley will not be going to Wembley Stadium this season in the FA Cup. To be fair, they would have had to have won another 11 ties to make it to the Semi-Final stage.
Manchester v Liverpool clash
Another FA Cup clash that stood out was the pairing of Trafford against AFC Liverpool. Manchester United and Liverpool are noted as big rivals in the Premier League, but how did this game turn out? A 6-0 win for the Mancunians in front of 471 spectators. Meanwhile, the tie with the shortest names was between Irlam and Avro. The winners were Avro by a 4-0 margin.
More next week as the Review machine rolls in action.
