It’s the Tuesday Review, and this week I look forward to the 1st Round Proper of the FA Trophy.
A Proper Round
Over the coming weekend, 78 teams will be competing in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Trophy. It’s hard to understand why this round is a Proper round whereas the last round was the 3rd Round Qualifying. Indeed, the 78 teams in the 1st Round Proper are the winners of the 78 ties of the last round. It’s not as though there are superior teams joining the competition, making it more proper in some way. Somehow, those 78 teams have changed from being improper to proper. What’s more, you should note that the previous round was the 3rd Round Qualifying, not the 3rd Qualifying Round, as many think.
Looking North
Having cleared that matter up, let’s look at some of the ties, starting in the North of England. Morpeth Town from Northumberland has one of the longest treks as they face Bromsgrove Sporting, which is south of Birmingham. Both sides are in the lower places in their respective divisions, the Northern Premier and the Southern Premier. Two lesser-known teams, Liversedge and Basford United go head to head. Liversedge, from just outside Leeds, have won 13 of the 14 League games and are currently top of the Northern Premier League East Division. Their opponents will provide tough opposition as they are in the top half of the Northern Premier League Premier Division (yes, that’s two Premiers).
Bishop’s Stortford for me in the Proper Round
My travels this weekend take me to Bishop’s Stortford. I discovered this week that, unlike Bishop Auckland, Bishop’s Stortford has an apostrophe and an S on the end of the first part of its name; I’d always assumed it was Bishop Stortford. Not so. The Bishop of London once lived in Stortford Manor and the rest is history, although it sounds more like a risky chess move or pain in the lower back. I’m sure I’ve heard a chess player say, “I’m playing a bishop’s stortford” and an audible gasp coming from those watching. Or, perhaps, it was my grandmother after bending down, straightening her back and saying, “I’ve got a right old Bishop’s Stortford going on”. She spoke a bit like that.
Will I become Chipstead’s lucky mascot?
Having seen Chipstead win three previous games, it will be a tough assignment for the Surrey-based team at Bishop’s Stortford, particularly as The Blues are 7th in the Isthmian Premier Division, compared to Chipstead, who are mid-table in the Isthmian South Central Division. But, it’s a funny old game, as I’ve always said.
More Wise Words
Yate Town v Yeovil Town may have been the first time two teams beginning with Y have ever met in the FA Cup, but Canvey Island v Yaxley has some similarities. Not only does Yaxley begin and end with a Y, but Canvey ends in Y. Is this the first time this has ever happened in the FA Trophy? Of course, you are probably wondering where Yaxley play. I can tell you that they play in Yaxley.
Going West
In the West Country, Plymouth Parkway, which sounds more like a railway station, entertain the team from The Plain in this Proper Round from – Salisbury. Plain and Proper sounds like something the Government might suggest during the 2nd World War. Or was it prim and proper in a previous era? Further west still, on Sunday, Truro City face Bognor Regis, which, if you trust Google Maps, is exactly the same distance that Morpeth Town will have to travel – 225 miles. Google Maps estimates that you will need to leave during Thursday night and walk continuously to get to Truro in time for the kick-off on Sunday afternoon. However, I would leave a bit longer as I don’t recommend taking their suggested route along the M27.
Head on the block time
So, it’s time to pick my dead cert winner. As you may recall, if my dead cert winner loses, I donate £10 to charity for every goal that they lose by. I think it’s time, I put my faith in an away team, so I’m picking Enfield Town to sail through to the 2nd Round when they travel to Biggleswade Town. Sorry, Enfield Town supporters.