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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UNITED'S FA TROPHY JOURNEY CONTINUES AS DEVON OVERCOMES CORNWALL
CO-CHAIRMEN MICHAEL AND MARK SPEAK OUT
SO IS IT BOREHAMWOOD OR BOREHAM WOOD?
United versus City. What comes into your mind when you see that? Guess the answer will depend on your age. For football fans United versus City conjures up pictures of derby matches between the two Manchester clubs. Or more locally Torquay versus Exeter in the days when we were both in the same league.
Saturday’s game of United versus City was also Devon versus Cornwall when Torquay took on Truro in the FA Trophy.
The Trophy is not everyone’s cup of tea and always seems the poor relation to the FA Cup so hats off to the 1,800 home supporters who all paid to get into Plainmoor. By comparison this time last year Torquay defeated Yeovil 2-1 in front of 1,740. Incidentally, last season United got as far as Round 4 before going out at Hereford.
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This Saturday’s match wasn’t a classic and won’t last long in the memory apart from a peach of a free kick by Dan Hayfield to separate two sides who for the majority of the afternoon cancelled each other out. Not surprisingly Hayfield was named in the FA Trophy Team of the Day.
Mind you there was a big talking point for many afterwards around the Truro goal which was disallowed. The reaction of Hamon was reminiscent of the Chelmsford keeper a few weeks ago and in both cases following a discussion between the referee and linesman both ‘goals’ were chalked off. Rather supports the idea that decisions even themselves out during the course of a season.
With Paul Wotton sitting out a one game touchline ban in Bristows, fans were treated to Neil Warnock in the dug out, 31 years since he was last there. He can be pleased with his afternoon’s work with a 100% record, played one, won one! Can’t be bad having such an experienced manager on hand.
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United’s reward, on top of the £3,750 prize money, is a home tie in Round 3 on December 7 to Isthmian Premier Horsham who beat Maidstone 2-1 in the last round. Horsham had a good FA Cup run last season as they knocked out League 1 Barnsley after their league opponents were kicked out for fielding an ineligible player; Horsham lost 3-0 at Sutton in Round 2. This will be a first meeting of the two sides.
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FA Trophy Crowd Watch: Kidderminster 3,884, Torquay 1,967, Hereford 1,442, Scunthorpe 1,270, Lewes 1,259.
Non-League Crowd Watch: Oldham 6,345, Yeovil 3,829, Hartlepool 3,665, Bury FC 2,983, Sutton United 2,905.
There was another fixture in the much derided National League Cup in mid week between FC Halifax and the Under-21s from Middlesborough which the visitors won 4-1 with only 256 in attendance. Fans across the participating National League teams have decided this is a cup competition too far.
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We all know that following football is all about opinions and everyone is entitled to their views.
With last weekend off league duty, United sit comfortably in the play off pack with no one side racing ahead as Yeovil did last year.
Those running the club are fully aware of fans’ feelings and the recent arrivals of the two Jordans, Young and Thomas, show the club’s desire to support the manager. In Saturday’s programme co-chairmen Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh had this to say: ‘We hope supporters can take some comfort from the fact the Board are in constant dialogue with Paul, Mike and Neil and we have open and honest conversations around how we can best support them as they seek to make improvements in performance and contemplate introducing new talent.’
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United’s Women, after a blank weekend, were back in action in West Somerset on Sunday easing to a comprehensive 5-0 win over Bishops Lydeard Ladies. Top scorer Lucy Solloway had her side ahead after three minutes, adding a second later on while Sam Burnham and Ellie Bishop gave the side a comfortable 3-0 half-time lead. Lucy Palmer completed the scoring. The victory keeps the team in the top three with games in hand.
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This week the TUST board appointed Danni Wyatt as the second Non-Executive Director representing TUST on the football board. More of this in next week’s column.
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Saturday sees the return of National South league matches as United make the long trip to Boreham Wood with the weather taking a turn for the worse. Let’s hope it’s not a repeat of last time when the sides met as the game was called off at 2pm. It is, though, a game when the Yellow Army could equal or outnumber home support. Wood’s average home gate is a low 729.
Whilst there perhaps someone can explain why the town is Borehamwood and the team Boreham Wood.
Don’t forget if you have any thoughts, issues about the club please get in contact: fanszone.tu@gmail.com
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