The Curse of the FA Trophy

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 02/03/2011

TUESDAY'S tie with Mansfield will be postponed as the FA Trophy claims another victim. The Stags drew 2-2 last night at Field Mill against Chasetown in the competition. Under Conference rules the FA Trophy trumps league fixtures and the Mariners will consequently miss another game.

Saturday's game with Darlington similarly fell foul of the FA Trophy due to the Quakers involvement in the flagship competition for non-league sides.

The Mariners have already missed several games because of the FA Trophy due partly to their own involvement in it, but mainly that of teams they were due to play.

The game against Mansfield will now probably be moved to the only free Tuesday of the season, in April.

Fortunately the semi-finals played over two Saturday legs on 12th and 19th March do not affect any of the teams we are due to play.

Grim Rob Says: I hate the FA Trophy. It is the most annoying, intrusive tournament and the worst thing about being in the Conference. I hate the fact that it is played on a Saturday, and even worse that it can trump league games for which tickets have already been printed at short notice. I have had made plans to watch games this season only to see them dashed because of the FA Trophy and I am sure other have experienced the same.

It would not bother me if Town refused to enter the competition next season. However because of its impact on the other teams we are playing that wouldn't be the end of it. If we have to have it then let's have Thursday night replays (or ideally none at all) and move the whole thing to midweek.

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