Bowers removed from the FA Trophy

The FA have announced that Bowers & Pitsea have been removed from the FA Trophy, and as such that their defeated First Qualifying Round opponents, Egham Town, will travel to the Kent coast to face Margate this weekend in the Second Qualifying Round- just as our other clubs kick off in the Third Qualifier.

The FA charged Bowers with fielding a suspended player, Jamie Dicks, in their mammoth replay at Runnymede- a tie which they eventually won 5-3 after extra-time- and have now dismissed the club's appeal against their expulsion. Dicks had recently signed from North Division rivals Romford, and Bowers appeal was based on claims that there were errors with the FA system which shows suspensions, but this explanation was rejected.

Egham Town stated on their website, 'After two entertaining matches between us it is sad to have an ending based on a mistake. Not how either team would want to progress.

We wish Bowers and Pitsea good luck for the rest of the season.'

The winners of Saturday's match will face a Third Qualifying Round tie at Bath City in midweek. If the tie is drawn the match at Bath will take place week commencing Monday 4th December.