Mariners clear the decks for Trophy

The Mariners are heading to National League Dover Athletic on Saturday 13 January in the second round of Non-League's showpiece cup competition and had been due to travel to Widnes the day after returning from the long trip south on Monday 15 January.

The EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's chairman Paul Leary sent their thanks to the Liverpool County FA and the North West Counties Football League club ahead of this weekend's action after they agreed to bring forward the fixture by seven days to Monday 8 January and switch the last four clash to The Marine Travel Arena in Crosby.

Leary said: “I would like to place on record our club’s thanks to the officials of both Widnes FC and the Liverpool FA for agreeing to the new arrangements to play this important semi-final game on Monday, a week earlier, at the Marine Travel Arena. It would have been challenging to say the least to expect to play a game the day after returning from Dover."

He added: "This will be a great cup tie with the winners reaching the Liverpool FA Senior Cup final and I look forward therefore to welcoming the supporters, players and officials of Widnes FC for what I believe is their first ever visit to the Marine Travel Arena.”

The Mariners say admission to the semi-final is priced at £6 for adults and £3 for concessions. The club's usual half-price offers for adults and free admission for children aged 11 and under for EVO-STIK League fixtures are not available for the cup clash which is all pay at the turnstiles.

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