FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair and TUFC board member, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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EIGHT NON-LEAGUE CLUBS COUNT THE COST OF NO FA CUP REPLAYS
TUST HANDS OVER £222,000 COMMUNITY SHARE ISSUE TO CLUB CHAIRMEN
UNITED’S WIN AT SALISBURY PUTS A SPARKLE ON FACES
The weekend saw the magic of the FA Cup as a host of non-league sides battled it out against, in most cases, higher opposition. There are those who don’t find this the best competition in the world but when giant killing occurs you can’t but feel elated for the fans of that club.
And there were some shocks as expected. For the Yellow Army we could only watch from afar cursing going out at the first stage.
But wait a moment, what have the FA done to the cup? Taken away replays which in a number of cases would have meant an extra pay day, often crucial and life giving to ensure another year of existence, and the chance to cause an upset to progress to Round 2.
So feel for the supporters of Braintree Town, Boreham Wood, Weston-Super-Mare, Hednesford Town, Maidenhead United, Southend United, Guiseley and Forest Green who were all denied the opportunity to try again.
And why has this come about? Because of the power of the Premier League? Too many other competitions?
Top players in major sports like football and cricket are being overplayed for the sake of TV exposure and money to a limit which surely cannot be sustained.
What’s your view? Send to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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Congratulations to these non-league sides through to the next round after giant killing: Kettering beating local rivals Northampton Town, Tamworth defeating Huddersfield, Dagenham & Redbridge knocking out Crewe. And don’t forget Harnborough Town, a Leicestershire side playing in the Southern League Premier Central. Their reward is a tie at Reading in Round 2.
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Two weeks ago there was a pulsating game of football as Torquay overcame a talented and strong Worthing in front of 3,701 of whom around 700 were Blue Light guests. So, that couldn’t be repeated could it?
Well, yes it could and was as an amazing 3,466 watched United and Chelmsford battle it out with both managers claiming their team should have won.
The Yellow Army were treated to a front foot, dynamic opening 20 minutes which turned into a dream debut for new signing Jordan Young, named Man of the Match. His blistering pace opened up the chance for the opening goal and he himself notched the second. Had he scored a hat-trick which he might well have done he would have been added to the hall of fame for three on his debut. A second half free kick went close and a gaping goal was in his sights had he placed it rather than putting his boot through it. Never-the-less it was a great start for him.
Of course, it’s disappointing and frustrating to allow a 2-0 win to slip away but credit to the visitors who fought back. If you were a neutral on holiday in Torbay and came to Plainmoor for the Worthing match and again on Saturday you had your money’s worth of entertainment and excitement.
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Non-League & FA Cup Crowd Watch: Southend v Charlton 8,875, Chesham v Lincoln 3,963, Scunthorpe v Radcliffe 3,892, Hednesford Town v Gainsborough Trinity 3,866, Tamworth v Huddersfield Town 3,533, Torquay v Chelmsford 3,466, Tonbridge Angels v Harnborough Town, 3,132, Worthing v Morecambe 3,110, Woking v Cambridge United 3,105.
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It was heartache as United Women went out of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at Round 1 as ex-player Connie Pengelly came back to haunt her old team when she blasted home the penalty, the only goal, to win the tie.
Pengelly had only signed for higher division Bridgwater Town on Friday, so she had a dream debut.
And United’s Under-18s were beaten 5-2 at Eastleigh in their FA Youth Cup match on Monday.
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There were a number of exciting things for fans to see at Plainmoor on Saturday besides the football. Fans on the Popside were treated to some new stunning murals on the walls to brighten up the entrances.
Then three of us from TUST, myself, former chairman Michel Thomas and vice-chairman Robin Causley presented, in the centre circle before the match, the Community Share Issue cheque for the huge £222,000 to co-chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh.
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One of the rewards for Platinum investors in the CSI is to be a Director for the Day and on Saturday the first recipient of this was Mike Tobin and his guest Guy James who were treated to a meal in the Cove sitting with some of the Bryn Consortium and Neil Warnock before watching events unfold in the game from the Directors’ Box.
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United were in action again on Bonfire Night at Salisbury with Cody Cooke’s 85th minute penalty lighting up the night sky sending home the 345 Gulls fans in a sparkling mood.
Saturday sees the Gulls back at Plainmoor for the visit of Tonbridge Angels. Let’s keep the 3,000 plus attendances going. With the team in the top seven and only just behind the leaders, a position which changes weekly, your support is vital.
COYY
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