A couple of National League teams have removed themselves from FA Trophy with their opponents having to advance through.
Chesterfield and Maidenhead United have pulled out of the competition due to Covid cases.
Guiseley and Maidstone United will now automatically go into the Fourth Round with the Third Round set to get underway this upcoming weekend.
CHESTERFIELD STATEMENT:
A Covid event has resulted in Saturday’s Buildbase FA Trophy tie at home to Guiseley being called-off.
The Spireites have now taken the decision to withdraw from the competition.
An announcement regarding refunds for tickets purchased for the fixture will be made soon.
MAIDENHEAD STATEMENT:
Due to a number of COVID-19 cases at Maidenhead United, we have withdrawn from this year’s #FATrophy.
As a result, this Saturday’s fixture against Maidstone United has been cancelled.
The Stones have a bye into the next round and we wish them all the best.
MAIDSTONE STATEMENT:
Due to a number of COVID-19 cases at Maidenhead United, they have withdrawn from this year’s FA Trophy. As a result, this Saturday’s fixture has been cancelled.
The Stones have a bye into the next round.
All tickets for this fixture will be refunded to those who purchased.
FA TROPHY THIRD ROUND:
1 Boston United (6) – Kidderminster Harriers (6)
2 Matlock Town (7) – York City (6)
3 Stockport County (5) – Grimsby Town (5)
4 Stourbridge (7) – AFC Telford United (6)
5 Morpeth Town (7) – Lancaster City (7)
6 Chesterfield (5) – Guiseley (6)
7 King’s Lynn Town (5) – Nantwich Town (7)
8 Notts County (5) – Altrincham (5)
9 Farsley Celtic (6) – Southport (6)
10 Wrexham (5) – Gloucester City (6)
11 Bradford (Park Avenue) (6) – FC Halifax Town (5)
12 AFC Fylde (6) – Solihull Moors (5)
13 Curzon Ashton (6) – Alfreton Town (6)
14 Radcliffe (7) – Spennymoor Town (6)
15 Eastleigh (5) – Enfield Town (7)
16 Cheshunt (7) – Bishop’s Stortford (7)
17 Aldershot Town (5) – Kingstonian F.C. (7)
18 Cray Wanderers (7) – Dartford (6)
19 Southend United (5) – Dorking Wanderers (6)
20 Larkhall Athletic (8) – AFC Totton (8)
21 St Albans City (6) – Braintree Town (6)
22 Dover Athletic (5) – Bromley (5)
23 Yeovil Town (5) – Woking (5)
24 Truro City (7) – Dagenham & Redbridge (5)
25 Slough Town (6) – Eastbourne Borough (6)
26 Barnet (5) – Boreham Wood (5)
27 Tonbridge Angels (6) – Torquay United (5)
28 Hungerford Town (6) – Weymouth (5)
29 Needham Market (7) – Wealdstone (5)
30 Folkestone Invicta (7) – Uxbridge (7)
31 Plymouth Parkway (8) – Dulwich Hamlet (6)
A small number of non league games have been called off this week due to Covid cases.
At the start of the season, Step 3 and 4 clubs were told that they must have fewer than 13 players for a game to be postponed.
In the leagues, postponed games will be played at a later date.
In the FA Trophy, clubs must play a postponed tie within 5 days (this season’s ‘postponement window’).
Those in the England’s professional leagues have been largely affected too with Burnley’s Premier League match at home to Watford on Wednesday postponed because of an ongoing Covid outbreak within the visitors’ squad.
This Saturday’s Championship matches between Reading and Luton and Millwall and Preston have been postponed because of cases of Covid.
Both Reading and Millwall said they are unable to play because a “significant number” of their players have tested positive.
Three of this weekend’s Championship fixtures have now been postponed because of positive cases, with QPR’s game with Swansea City also called off.
No new date has been set for the games.
Reading’s match against the Hatters had been due to have special celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the club.
The celebrations have been halted until Saturday the 12th of February, when Reading host Coventry City.
“We apologise unreservedly for the inconvenience and disappointment this causes to both home and away supporters, who were understandably looking forward to attending this fixture,” a club statement read.
“However, the health, safety and welfare of our players, coaching team and club staff remains of paramount importance and our primary concern now is to ensure the swift and full recovery of those affected.”
Manchester United were forced to postpone their Premier League trip to Brentford on Tuesday after an outbreak at their training ground while Watford’s trip to Burnley on Wednesday was called off less than three hours before it was meant to kick off because of a number of positive cases in the Hornets’ squad.
Tottenham were unable to play their Europa Conference League game with Rennes last Thursday and their Premier League game with Brighton last Sunday for the same reason.
It comes as Covid cases have begun to rise, with the Omicron variant becoming more prevalent in the UK.
Twitter users have reacted with National League team Maidenhead United removed from the FA Trophy…
@Hengist123: Sorry to hear that. Would rather have gone through on merit. Hope everyone recovers quickly.
@ImBxoo: Wishing your squad a speedy recovery 🖤💛
@ragingbulb: Several games off in Kent and south East London tonight too. Hate to say it, but I think the season will be getting suspended before the end of the year.
@kev_g1: seems its rife in all levels of football again
@ACW52: It’s starting to ramp up
@libertineben: Two covid outbreaks in a month? Do our players just cough on each other during training?
@paulh66runs: Not the way we’d want to go through, best wishes for a speedy recovery to everyone @MUFCYorkRoad
@callumglaze: Que Sera Sera…. All the best to the @MUFCYorkRoad players affected- hope they get out of isolation for Christmas.
James Lott: Get well soon Maidenhead. Look forward to the next time.
Justin Godfrey: Think this is going to be the start of alot of cancellations and byes into the next round for teams 🙄
Neil Williamson: Thank you Maidenhead for your integrity
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