1st round review

I thought I'd do a quick review of the 1st round and catch up on how my ‘top tips’ are doing!

The FA also review the 1st round games on their website but in my opinion, they focus too much on the high scoring ties, which just heaps more unwelcome attention on the mis-matches that tend to occur in the early rounds of any competition, not just the Sunday Cup.

I was surprised to see that the FA has reported Gossoms End 7-2 loss at Belstone as a 'shock defeat'. I say this, as despite being a former winner, Gossoms End has a remarkably average record in the competition.

In fact, they have only won two games since lifting the trophy back in 2005 and have failed to progress beyond the 2nd round in 5 attempts. Whilst Belstone have only once failed to reach the 3rd round during the same period, so for me, this does not qualify as a shock.

It was not a good day for the three Cumberland based sides, Frizington Whitestar, St Bees Village and Red Lion, all of whom received a home draw but none of them could make the advantage count, as they were all beaten.

Red Lion’s game against Fforde Grene from Leeds, was played at Aspatria RU ground. The home side made the referee aware before kick off that the pitch did not seem long enough, as the goals were in front of the rugby posts, as they cannot be removed.

While the pitch complies with the FA rules (ie at least a minimum 90 yards long) it does not comply with the specific Sunday Cup rule, which is a minimum of 100 yards! It could have been interesting if Fforde’s had lost!! (thanks to Andy Gilman for this info)

Blue Mugge had an excellent 5-2 win against Newark Alliance Champions R.H.P Sports & Social.

Top Tips Update

Birstall Stamford
Received a walkover in to the 2nd round

Hetton Lyons
Exempt until the 2nd round

Huddersfield Irish Centre
Squeezed past St Sebastians (3-2) from the Liverpool Business Houses league

Lebeqs Tavern Courage
Are the first tip to bite the dust, after losing 2-0 at home to Lakeside Athletic from the Plymouth & West Devon Combination, who reached the semi final two seasons back.

So, Lebeqs proud record of reaching the last 16 every season since 2003/04 comes to an end.

Hanham Sunday
Made the headlines for thrashing debutants Applebys 11-1.

Hanham now face another Devon based side, as they have drawn Lakeside in round 2, in what I believe to be one of the ties of the round.

Magnet Tavern
Like Hetton, they are exempt to round 2, where they face a difficult trip to Nottingham to face Clumber.

Oyster Martyrs
Had a fairly routine 4-1 win over on the Wirral against Woodchurch. They will find their 2nd round trip to the North East against Kelloe to be a much harder proposition.

Witton Park Rose and Crown
Gave last season’s quarter-finalists, Shankhouse United, an old fashioned 6-1 hiding, with tormentor-in-chief, Mattie Moffat, scoring 4 times.

Kelloe WMC
Received a walkover in to the 2nd round