A second FA Cup tie – planned to be streamed live by the BBC – is forfeited

A second FA Cup tie – planned to be streamed live by the BBC – is forfeited, it has been confirmed during Monday afternoon.

United Counties League Division One outfit Burton Park Wanderers were set to take on AFC Sudbury of the Isthmian League North Division.

Excitement had been growing amongst supporters for weeks ahead of Tuesday night’s tie, however due to a positive coronavirus test, part of the Burton Park Wanderers squad are now isolating for 14 days.

Under the Football Association’s rules, the tie will be handed to AFC Sudbury.

CLUB STATEMENT:

“BPWFC have to announce with huge regret that we have had to withdraw from the FA Cup preliminary qualifying round.

“We received confirmation last night that one of our First Team players has tested positive for Covid-19.
Following the advice from Public Health England, we have now advised those who had close contact with the player in question to get a test and to self-isolate for the next 14 days. The advice given is that this is limited to BPWFC management team and players. League fixtures will be suspended during this 2 week period.
We hope everyone involved has a clean bill of health in the coming weeks and we look forward to the resumption of First Team football.

“Please also bear with us, for ticket refunds. The club committee have been working tirelessly and extremely hard over the last week putting things in place for this game, we are still trying to deal with what has happened and we want to thank each and every one of you who reached out to help and support a small local football club try and achieve their dream.

“BPWFC would also like to wish AFC Sudbury all the best in their next round in the FA Cup.”

Some 182 extra preliminary round ties, the first of 13 hurdles before the final at Wembley on 15 May 2021, is set to due to take place between Monday and Thursday in front of a reduced number of supporters.

Another tie that was set to be played out was Surrey part-timers Redhill and Egham Town, both of who play in the ‎Combined Counties League Premier Division.

Redhill announced in a statement via the club’s website: “We have received confirmation that one of our First Team players has tested positive today for Covid-19.

“Following detailed consultation with Public Health England, we are advising those who had close contact with the player in question to self-isolate for the next 14 days. The advice given is that this is limited to Redhill FC management team and players who shared the dressing room; fixtures will be suspended during this 2 week period.

“We hope everyone involved has a clean bill of health in the coming weeks and we look forward to the resumption of First Team football.”

A further statement was issued on Sunday, just days before their tie was set to go ahead, it read: “Further to our COVID-19 Statement released earlier this week, we have assessed the impact on our upcoming First Team fixtures. Regrettably, we must forfeit the FA Cup Extra-preliminary round tie against Egham Town on Tuesday evening next; we wish Egham Town the very best in the Preliminary Round on Saturday the 12th of September.

“We remain positive and optimistic about the prospects of our full squad and management team returning to competitive football and thank everyone for their kind support at this time.”

With 889 eligible entrants, more than the number of places available, teams from level 10 of the English football league system were accepted up to the point at which the 737 places were full, based on a random draw. This reflected the cancellation of level 10 leagues in the 2019–20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, and thus the absence of league placings on which to base qualification, as had been used in previous seasons. The pandemic also led to the removal of replays from the qualifying competition, in order to fit with a delayed start following the extended 2019-20 football season, and a reduction in the prize fund, with figures returning to those last used in the 2017–18 FA Cup.

Fans reacted after finding out that a second FA Cup tie – planned to be streamed live by the BBC – is forfeited…

Is it just me, or does it seem really unfair that BPW have lost out because of something out of their control?! I get it in terms of trying to get through the season and all the rest of it, but I would imagine this will have been a good bit of money for BPW.

— JamesNStringer (@MrJNStringer) August 31, 2020

Full credit to you for putting safety first.?

It’s worrying that teams are being punished for being honest and isolating after positive tests. Not hard to imagine some teams trying to hide Covid tests in order to stay in the cup.

— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) August 31, 2020

Brilliant idea

— Carl Awty (@CarlAwty) August 31, 2020

What better choice could there be? Sure to be a belter!

— Jon Renyard (@JonRenyard) August 31, 2020

Sounds a great idea to me!!

— Doddy (@doddytyke) August 31, 2020

Was looking forward to this. Wonder of the bbc will still stream a game and more importantly will sudbury still get the prize money

— christopher holmes (@mrcrh11) August 31, 2020

@BBCSport come live Stream the @Bowerspitseafc FA cup game! fantastic ground to come and film! at! ?⚪?⚪?⚪?⚪

— Paul Burton (@eyeball1984) August 31, 2020

Wow, really feel for them. Will have cost them a decent sum ?

— Socialist Ace (Part of the 3.5%) #BlackLivesMatter (@AceSocialist) August 31, 2020

Chance for @BBCSport to show the tie of the round @1874Northwich v @RylandsFC instead

— alan m … World-Beating at something, surely ?? (@am1874northwich) August 31, 2020

Get the game live for @GresleyRovers new club name, new management and new team ?

— Kolo (@Kolo27905695) August 31, 2020

That’s cost them money as well

— Andy Harrup (@andyharrup) August 31, 2020

Really sorry to hear this news. I know how important competing in the FA Cup is, and how much you were looking forward to your debut in the competition.

I hope everyone stays well and look forward to seeing you in a future year

— FA Cup Factfile (@FACupFactfile) August 31, 2020

So sorry to hear this – you boys must be gutted. Such a shame for all the players and all connected with the club. Sad to say, but I don’t think this will be the last time this will happen this season. Good luck BPW for rest of the season and I hope the lad is ok ??

— Gary Petts (@GaryPetts1) August 31, 2020

I am sorry for what is a pretty crappy thing to happen! Not what anybody wanted.

— Peter Short (@NorthantsLegend) August 31, 2020