Dockers ready to replay after ruling

After drawing 1-1 at Chadfields in last Saturday's First Qualifying Round tie, the Dockers should have replayed at the EVO-STIK League Southern club's Cozy Stadium on Tuesday night but the match was postponed following an investigation by the FA.

St Neots were subsequently charged with a breach of the rules but evidence presented by the club saw the FA opt to order the original match to be replayed to a conclusion at Chadfields on September 22 rather than expel them from the competition.

Dockers secretary Antony Mercer said: "Tilbury are disappointed with the decision as an FA Cup rule had been breached but will respect the FA's decision on this matter.

"The player in question, Andrew Wilton, was registered for the match but an administrative oversight led to an FA investigation.

"Both clubs have been in contact and look forward to getting back to the football on Tuesday with the winners facing Worthing on Saturday 26 September."

The FA explained their decision in a statement which read: "Whilst it was acknowledged that the competition rules had been breached, the Committee were satisfied with the explanation and evidence provided within the submissions from St Neots Town and decided, by exercising its discretionary power in accordance with FA Cup Rule 16(c), not to remove St Neots Town FC from the competition and ordered the tie to be replayed to a conclusion at Tilbury FC on Tuesday, September 22."

"Furthermore, it was decided that gate receipts from the tie ordered to be replayed shall be retained by Tilbury FC with St Neots Town FC also responsible for their own travel costs."

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