Fan Zone 18/10/2026
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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UNITED’S FA CUP DREAM IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR
CUP SHOCKS AS NATIONAL LEAGUE CLUBS CRASH OUT BUT WATCH OUT FOR EBBSFLEET
MATT JAY EXTENDS PLAYING CONTRACT AND BECOMES HEAD OF YOUTH
We can pack away our FA Cup dreams for another year as a solitary strike sent visitors Oxford City into Monday evening’s Round 1 draw as ball 72. It was National South versus National North with Oxford, the Dark Blues as in Boat Race terms, actually in full vivid pink.
Football, we know, is full of opinions and after the final whistle there were those calling for the manager’s head while some others felt, strangely, this was a better overall performance than in the 5-1 win the previous weekend.
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The life of a football manager is a roller-coaster and as all know they are in a ‘results business’ but sometimes you have to admire their words after what is seen as a below par performance.
Who might have said these words after defeat yesterday?
“Yes, be angry. You pay your money, you can boo. The toxic comments, stuff like that, don’t aim them at the players, we’ve got a young squad, could be fragile. I’m big enough to take all the toxic comments, just lay off the players.”
The answer is Kieron Dyer the Southend manager.
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Shocks? It wouldn’t be the FA Cup without its fair share of giant killing if you can call Step 4 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 13th in the Northern League Midlands Division giant killers.
And if you can then add in Step 4 Berkhamsted 11th in the Southern League Premier South Division.
AFC Rushden knocked out Morecambe while Berkhamsted defeated Southend at Roots Hall.
Other notable results all against National League opposition were Step 5 Tadley Calleva drawing 2-2 at Aldershot, Gloucester City holding Barrow to a replay as did Isthmian Premier Leatherhead as they came from 0-2 down to finish 3-3 against visitors Yeovil.
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Was it, or wasn’t it? Well, it wasn’t as it was chalked off. I’m talking about Deon Moore’s ‘opening goal’ with replays of the incident not totally conclusive.
The ‘hand ball’ in the second half looked clear cut but of course even if a penalty is given there’s no guarantee it’ll be scored.
But aside from that the match officials were a further example, if any is needed, of the low level of officiating that is evident throughout the football pyramid from the top downwards.
Mr Ablitt yesterday was equally inefficient for both sides especially with his non decisions and dishing out a number of yellow cards after half-time, one to the Oxford bench probably in frustration.
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FA Cup Crowd Watch: Bury FC 4,910, Southend 4,610, Altrincham 3,005, Aldershot 2,886, Macclesfield 2,767, Carlisle 2,708, Kidderminster 2,478, Torquay 2,283.
Maybe not a surprise but attendances at places like Southend and Carlisle were well down on their normal league ones.
And it will be interesting to compare yesterday’s Plainmoor figure with this coming Saturday’s third home game in a row when league leaders Maidstone, winners again 2-1 against Maidenhead, come to TQ1.
By the way keep an eye on Ebbsfleet, who have leapt up the South table after their enforced late start, hitting Weston for six, nestling into second after only nine fixtures.
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Eyebrows were raised last Sunday when the Sandy Park attendance was announced for Exeter Chief’s Prem match against Newcastle, 7,071. Normally Exeter draw a full house of 15,000 but had to close the whole of their North Stand and this in spite of dropping ticket prices by 25% across 14 of their 20 categories until Christmas.
It is thought that the cost of living, in particular fuel prices, are not helping. Plenty of sporting clubs are monitoring these trends.
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United’s Women suffered a game of two halves in Hampshire this afternoon. Leading through a Sarah Stacey strike, her sixth of the season, at half-time, hosts Moneyfields scored three times after the interval to leave United pointless and a long trip back to Devon.
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It is good to see the club making changes to the youth set up with the announcement during the week of Matt Jay becoming Head of Youth alongside his playing contract which has been extended with Matt Anthony as Head of Football Development.
This news followed on United’s exit from the FA Youth Cup following a 3-1 defeat at Mangotsfield United on Monday evening.
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On Tuesday this coming week it’s the St Luke’s Challenge Cup fixture at Plainmoor against Holsworthy but, of course, the big one is Maidstone on Saturday.
Having suffered the first home defeat of the season against Oxford we need to return to Fortress Plainmoor.
You can contact me at fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
COYY
BOARD NOMINATIONS STILL OPEN
There are ten places on the TUST board. With five members’ terms of office continuing for a second year, there are five vacancies to be filled
The TUST board are particularly keen to attract younger representatives of the fan base and would welcome nominations from such members. As well as contributing your experience and aspirations, board membership offers an opportunity to learn new things and develop your own skills which can enhance your career progression.
Further details and how to apply can be found here: 2026 Board member Nominations | TUST
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