FA Trophy ties taking early hits from expulsions and postponements

Postponements and expulsions were already playing havoc with this weekend’s FA Trophy programme before Needham Market’s 3-0 win over Cambridge City on Friday night.
Even before the first ball was kicked in Cambridgeshire, two ties were hit affected by expulsions.
Morpeth Town had to do their homework for new first qualifying round foes in a hurry after Cleethorpes Town were reinstated in the competition on Thursday following the midweek expulsion of fellow BetVictor Northern Premier League club Mossley AFC.
The Lilywhites had until noon on Friday to appeal against their punishment for playing an ineligible player in their 4-2 win over the Owls.
BetVictor Southern League Division One South Larkhall Athetic are looking forward to a trip to reinstated Paulton Rovers on Tuesday night after their league rivals Willand Rovers were kicked out of the competition on Friday.
Last season’s Western League champions pleaded guilty to fielding a player without international clearance and have until Monday to lodge an appeal at Wembley.
Elsewhere, Friday’s heavy downpours led to a number of early postponements with Brighouse Town versus Workington, Hitchin Town at home to Bedfont Sports and Stalybridge Celtic‘s visit from South Shields all called off following early pitch inspections.
More are planned on Saturday morning at a number of fixtures with the Met Office predicting a month’s worth of rain falling in some part of the midlands and north of England on Friday night and Saturday.
The FA Trophy’s first qualifying should have seen 72 ties played this weekend following the draw at Wembley on Monday 14 October. Victors in this round will collect £2,450 from the FA Prize fund and the losers £800.
Open to clubs from Steps 1-4, 296 teams entered the FA Trophy this season when the competition kicked off with 28 extra preliminary round ties on Saturday 28 September.
A place at next May’s Non-League Finals Day awaits for the eventual finalists in the Buildbase FA Trophy and the Buildbase FA Vase.
For more information on the round dates, exemptions and prize money visit thefa.com.