It’s the Tuesday Review, and the long wait for the 3rd Round Qualifying of the FA Trophy is only a few days away.
Manchester United supporters should go and watch Runcorn Linnets
After mighty Manchester United’s crushing 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, you wonder whether a few more will be transferring their allegiance to
FC United of Manchester. FCUM was founded in 2005 by a group of supporters opposed to Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of United. FCUM now play in the Northern League Premier Division and this weekend face a trip to Runcorn Linnets. To the best of my knowledge, Runcorn Linnets are the only club with Linnets in their name, although Kings Lynn have the nickname of The Linnets. Runcorn Linnets play in the Northern Premier West Division, so it will be a tough game, but last weekend they knocked four past former Football League side, Workington.
Anyone for tennis with Sporting Khalsa?
Of course, I’m keeping an eye open for Sporting Khalsa, who have scored six in both of the previous rounds. After a 6-5 win in the 1st Round Qualifying at Dereham Town, they scored six again in the 2nd Qualifying Round and, I suspect, will be looking for a tennis score when they entertain Rushall Olympic. Olympic are going well in the Southern League Premier Central Division, so it will be a tougher test. For those liking a geography lesson, Rushall is near Walsall.
Name the three City slickers
Guessing the three City teams in the 3rd Round Qualifying this weekend is a tough question to answer. If anyone comes up with Lancaster City, Welwyn Garden City and Truro City, they deserve a prize. Pour yourself a beer if you got all three. In fact, pour yourself a beer if you got two. One of the City teams, Truro City, play host to Cirencester Town, a journey of over 200 miles for the visitors. The game takes place on Sunday, but Mr Google suggests allowing at least four hours if you plan to travel by car or 20 hours if you are planning to cycle.
A trip to the seaside – Margate, Herne Bay, Bridlington and more
If you’re a groundhopper and fancy a trip to the seaside, there are several to choose from. Marske United travel south down the coast to face Bridlington Town, while Yaxley head due east to Lowestoft Town. Margate and Herne Bay, two Kentish seaside towns, entertain Leatherhead and Beaconsfield Town, making trips around the M25 before heading coastwards. Felixstowe & Walton could sail to Hastings United, while Waltham Abbey head south to face Bognor Regis Town. However, don’t head to St Ives in Cornwall as the game between St Ives Town and Needham Market is the other St Ives in Cambridgeshire. Imagine setting the satnav wrongly for that one.
Chipstead v Whitehawk on my Wembley trail
As for my Wembley trail, it takes me to Chipstead where they entertain Whitehawk from the Isthmian League. In the last two rounds, I have had the pleasure of watching Chipstead defeat Hashtag United 4-1 and Aylesbury United on penalties after drawing 1-1. After two away ties, Chipstead now have play on their own patch against the team from East Brighton. In the last round, Whitehawk won impressively by 4-1 away to Tooting & Mitcham.
Gatwick v British Airways contest
This leaves two other bits of news. It was the draw for the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Vase on Monday. One game that caught the eye was Crawley Down Gatwick v British Airways. It should be a highly exciting game, so fasten your seatbelts for that one.
Sorry, Folkestsone Invicta
Finally, it’s that time when I have to predict a team that will make it to the next round of the FA Trophy. As before, if I’m wrong, a charity will gain £10 for each goal that my team loses by. Last round, I predicted that Great Wakering Rovers would perish against Chichester City, but GWR won 2-1. Will I jinx another team? Well, this week, I’m predicting that Folkestone Invicta will beat Hendon. Sorry, Invicta.
