FA Trophy Fourth Round draw.

[North Curry House]

The draw for the FA Trophy Fourth Round takes place this afternoon at 3.15pm, it is live on Talk Sport. I know we have to get past Horsham first but just posting the information. We are ball 24. The tie is scheduled for Saturday 4th January 2025.

[SuperNickyWroe]

Gosport Borough away if we beat Horsham.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbou ... aw-317079/

[Keithsson]

Gosport Borough away if we beat Horsham.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbou ... aw-317079/

...then again, possibly not.

https://worthingfc.com/2024/12/club-sta ... fa-trophy/

No idea what 'Boro have done but they were the deserved winners of our tie on the day, we were awful.

We, like you and Gosport await the appeal

[Keithsson]

The plot thickens. This from Gosport...

https://www.gosportboroughfc.com/news/c ... 91619.html

I know time is short, and there's the small matter of the Christmas period too, but if the alleged infringement was against Tonbridge Angels in R2 surely they should be reinstated and we should play them in R3, winner then plays you in R4. There being no NLS games on 28/12 it could still be done.

It just seems wrong to reward us for a wrong done to Tonbridge the round before, just as it'd be wrong to reward you for a wrong TWO rounds previously were they to give you a bye.

[westbaygull]

It just seems wrong to reward us for a wrong done to Tonbridge the round before, just as it'd be wrong to reward you for a wrong TWO rounds previously were they to give you a bye.

I had to read that a few times...

Thanks for the info, I was wondering what had happened

[Keithsson]

TUFC have been belatedly contacted by the FA...

https://torquayunited.com/club-statement-18/

[United62]

https://www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk/news/ ... ement/5879

The Angels are to appeal. And rightly so. It was they who the illegible player played against, not Worthing.

The only fair (but I doubt the FA know the word) thing to do is to have Worthing play Tonbridge at Longmead to see who plays Torquay in the next round. But that's not going to happen because it's just too logical.

If (pending appeals) the match goes ahead on Jan 4th between Worthing and Torquay, the only winners out of this (financially) will be Worthing. And, no, I'm not blaming Worthing for any of this, it's Gosport that f**ked up.

[Keithsson]

Agreed, the principle of natural justice seems to be missing here in the case of Tonbridge

However if there were to be a belated third round tie between WFC and TAFC, it shouldn't be at Longmead. Gosport dropped their 'borrock' at Longmead in R2, so Tonbridge should be given that game as a win.

But Worthing were the home draw for what should've then been their R3 game, so it should be played at Woodside Road.

From our side of things (Worthing) that's the only way I wouldn't feel a fraud playing Torquay in R4. Benefitting from a wrong done to Tonbridge Angels, without Tonbridge being able to right that wrong on the field of play, just seems wrong.

Edit: ...but of course this is the FA we're talking about, when did common sense ever come into it

[United62]

Agreed, the principle of natural justice seems to be missing here in the case of Tonbridge

However if there were to be a belated third round tie between WFC and TAFC, it shouldn't be at Longmead. Gosport dropped their 'borrock' at Longmead in R2, so Tonbridge should be given that game as a win.

But Worthing were the home draw for what should've then been their R3 game, so it should be played at Woodside Road.

From our side of things (Worthing) that's the only way I wouldn't feel a fraud playing Torquay in R4. Benefitting from a wrong done to Tonbridge Angels, without Tonbridge being able to right that wrong on the field of play, just seems wrong.

Edit: ...but of course this is the FA we're talking about, when did common sense ever come into it

Just the pedant in me, but Gosport dropped their 'borrock' at Privett Park (home), not Longmead. And, yes, you're correct, Worthing were indeed the home draw so it should/could/might/mightn't be played at Woodside Road. But, as we all know, this is the FA who couldn't organise a p!ss up in a brewery so it'll probably end up being Gosport re-instated and the Angels being relegated to Isthmiam South for having the nerve to appeal!

[Keithsson]

Of course, apologies, happy to be corrected U62

Notwithstanding Tonbridge deserve to take their place in R3 where they'd have been drawn away to Worthing.

[Keithsson]

It's all gone quiet on the appeal front, and the FA won't do anything now over the festive period.

But equally quietly all the clubs involved have emmended their fixture lists to show the 'provisional' resolution.

Still feel it's harsh on Tonbridge, still feel we don't deserve it. So have a merry Christmas, it looks like we'll see you in the new year.

[Dilmond]

It's all gone quiet on the appeal front, and the FA won't do anything now over the festive period.

But equally quietly all the clubs involved have emmended their fixture lists to show the 'provisional' resolution.

Still feel it's harsh on Tonbridge, still feel we don't deserve it. So have a merry Christmas, it looks like we'll see you in the new year.

It's the FA Trophy my friend, and it truly doesn't deserve this much attention!

[Keithsson]

Ah, the dismissive former league club arrogance towards 'lesser clubs', I'd figured the near death experience of administration would humble such notions. Never mind.

To some clubs it matters, but that's fine, if it's really of no interest to you, I guess you'll be sending your youth team up then

[standupsitdown]

Usually I like us to make every effort in cups but whilst extra money and a possible trip to Wembley would be nice, with the league so close I think we must prioritise this and extra games won't be helpful.
Hence I'm happy with the switch to Worthing who may well beat us.

[Brewers boy]

I can't see what the FA is fannying about at. Surely it's obvious to any one and his dog that Gosport are out and Tonbridge play Worthing for the right to play us in the next round. To do anything else would start to involve lawyers at great expense to all.