Cricket comes before cup clash

5 Sep 2017 By David Watters

Cup kings Stourbridge will be the last of the EVO-STIK League's flag-bearers to kick off in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup thanks to their cricketing neighbours.

The Glassboys have been forced to put back hosting St Ives Town in the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round by 24 hours to Sunday 17 September as the Saturday is the last day of the season for Stourbridge Cricket Club who share the War Memorial Athletic Ground with Gary Hackett's EVO-STIK League Premier Division side.

Officials say any potential replay will be a 7.45pm kick-off on Tuesday 19 September after the switch was confirmed by the Football Association and the EVO-STIK League on Tuesday following Monday lunchtime's cup draw at Wembley.

Hackett's side, who reached the Third Round proper of the world's oldest cup competition last term before going out at Wycombe Wanderers, were forced to kick off 24 hours after the rest of the EVO-STIK League's top flight on the opening weekend of the 2017-18 campaign after their cricketing neighbours were also playing at home that weekend. The delay didn't stop a crowd of 1,050 seeing Stourbridge and Matlock Town battle to a 1-1 draw.

Image courtesy of theFA.com

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