League cup gates up on last term

According to the Ryman League's official statistician Mike Wilson, a total of 3,281 spectators watched the first Round matches in the Ryman League's Robert Dyas sponsored cup competition.

Dulwich Hamlet's 4-0 win over Ryman Premier rivals Grays Athletic attracted the round's biggest gate, with 374 supporters turning out at Champion Hill on Tuesday night to see Gavin Rose's side book a trip to Ryman League newboys Greenwich Borough in the second round in late October.

Wilson's stats show the first round crowds were also up three per cent on last season when the competition was renamed after Ryman League president Alan Turvey following his retirement as chairman, average gates up from 106 to 109 spectators at the 30 fixtures played over three successive nights.

The draw for the competition's second round was made on Monday at the Ryman League's headquarters in Dartford. After needing penalties to knock out holders Kingstonian at Kingsmeadow on Monday night, Merstham have booked a home tie against Leatherhead who beat Walton Casuals 2-1 at Fetcham Grove on Wednesday night in the final tie of the week.

The Isthmian League Cup was sponsored for the first time three seasons ago by Robert Dyas, a subsidiary of the Isthmian League's title sponsors Ryman. As 2016 winners, pictured, Kingstonian banked £2500 in prize money as well as a share of the profits with fellow finalists Faversham Town who collected £1500 in prize money as runners-up. Losing semi-finalists were awarded £750 while clubs who reached the quarter-finals collect £250.

The Alan Turvey Trophy sponsored by Robert Dyas Revised Second Round Draw
Brightlingsea Regent v Bowers & Pitsea
Burgess Hill Town v Godalming Town
Bury Town v Needham Market
Canvey Island v Ware
Enfield Town v AFC Hornchurch
Faversham Town v Hastings United
Greenwich Borough v Dulwich Hamlet
Metropolitan Police v Corinthian Casuals
Merstham v Leatherhead
South Park v Carshalton Athletic
Staines Town v Wingate & Finchley
Thamesmead Town v Chatham Town
Tilbury v Billericay Town
Tonbridge Angels v Sittingbourne
Waltham Abbey v AFC Sudbury
Worthing v Dorking Wanderers

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