Another non league side pull out of the FA Trophy this season, and this time it’s at the Third Qualifying Round stage of the competition.
Scarborough Athletic’s FA Trophy match against Witton Albion is now OFF after Boro confirm Covid-19 cases within their club.
They become the seventh non league club to lose their place in the competition due to coronavorus or for a separate reason.
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CLUB STATEMENT:
Scarborough Athletic can confirm that two of our playing staff have tested positive for Covid-19, and as a result, a number of players will have to self-isolate.
The club and these players have followed the correct protocols and the cases have been reported to the NHS and relevant authorities.
With the health, wellbeing and livelihood of our players and staff paramount, we have taken the difficult decision, in line with FA protocols, to withdraw from our FA Trophy match with Witton Albion on Saturday, thus forfeiting the tie.
Announcements on forthcoming league games will be made in due course following consultation with the Northern Premier League.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
The other clubs to have been forced to leave the FA Trophy are as follows:
– Prescot Cables (Frickley Athletic walkover)
– Droylsden (Glossop North End walkover)
– Cleethorpes Town (City of Liverpool walkover)
– Chasetown (Yaxley walkover)
– Canvey Island (Ramsgate walkover)
Meanwhile, a seventh club have been forced to withdraw from the 2020/21 FA Vase due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jersey Bulls are the latest non league side announce they have had to regrettably leave the competition, meaning that their opponents, Combined Counties League Premier Division outfit Cobham, advance through to the Second Round Proper.
Restrictions both in Jersey and the United Kingdom has meant that the footballers on the island have been unable to play.
It’s been a few weeks since Jersey Bulls have played any kind of fixture league and cup in the UK since changes were made to the rules by the government about travel to and from the island.
Any overnight stay would mean that their players have no choice but to self-isolate on their return and unable to go to work, something they can’t do with bills to pay, and families to feed.
Jersey have so far played just four of their Combined Counties League Division One fixtures this season and have not played a single match since they beat Billingshurst 3-0 in the second qualifying stage of the FA Vase on the 12th of October.
“The club’s board have made this decision due to the ongoing situation with coronavirus both on the island and on the mainland and the health and wellbeing of our management and players must come first,” a statement from Jersey Bulls said.
“The English Football Association confirmed that it understood our decision and that no action would be taken against the club for the withdrawal.
“Everyone at the club is disappointed to miss out on this cup opportunity this season. We look forward to being back in action as soon as it is possible.”
This is the second time that Cobham have automatically qualified to another stage of the competition because their opposition are unable to play out the fixture.
The other clubs to have been forced to leave the FA Vase are as follows:
– FC Isle of Man (AFC Liverpool walkover) – First Qualifying Round
– Southwick (Seaford Town walkover) – First Qualifying Round
– Greenwich Borough (Cobham walkover) – First Qualifying Round
– Shelley Community (Bootle walkover) – Second Qualifying Round
– Exmouth Town (Sherborne Town walkover) – Second Qualifying Round
– Cadbury Heath (Ashton & Backwell United walkover) – Second Qualifying Round
– Jersey Bull (Cobham walkover) – First Round Proper
Fans reacted as non league side Scarborough pull out of the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round…
Sending our get well wishes to both clubs at this time ??
— Matlock Town FC (@Matlock_TownFC) October 29, 2020
Because the witton player hadn’t come in contact with any of the other players
— Dylanpont (@Dylanpont2) October 29, 2020
Shit happens I suppose
— James ? (@YorkshireJAMES1) October 29, 2020
Would the club consider donating half of the prize money for this round to Scarborough? It could so easily have been the other way round. Pay it forward, so to speak.
— Stu (@SilentYeti) October 29, 2020
Shame about the tie. Best wishes to the Boro and the affected players ❤⚪?
— The Non League Nomad (@theNLNomads) October 29, 2020
Farce! Matlock postpone and play later because they can play in 5 days, while we would need 7 in theory.
Add witton havin game postponed midweek as they have a player positive, yet he didn’t train with his team so its OK (but he would have been contagious before symptoms?!) FA ?— yorkshireot (@yorkshireot) October 29, 2020
Hope those concerned get well soon. https://t.co/X9I0SNkVuT
— Adam Poole (@yorkscoaster) October 29, 2020
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