Ineligible Player Threatens Non-League Droylsden’s Cinderella Story

In the FA Cup, non-league Droylsden first took out League Two side Darlington. This brought on a tie with Chesterton, also League Two. And that’s when things got interesting.

Their first attempt to move on was ended by fog at the half. (Droylsden led 1-0.) The second attempt ended 2-2. (Interesting match report here.) Their third attempt was called due to failed floodlights (Chesterton led 2-0).

(And this is Irrelevant here, but the best quote in this story?

Droylsden manager Dave Pace said: “I thought we had trouble when the lights in one of the stands went out and then I was told they had to stop serving beer around seven o’clock because they didn’t have the power to operate the pumps.”

Yes, that’s a bad sign.)

So when little Drolysden finally came out on top on the fourth try, 2-1, they seemed fated to be this year’s Cinderella story.

But alas, maybe not. News is that Droylsden fielded an ineligible player.

Sean Newton, the defender, scored twice to give the non-league side a victory over the League Two side and a place in the third round against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

But it has emerged that Newton should have been suspended for the tie after receiving his fifth booking of the season on December 9. The case will be discussed at an FA Cup committee hearing on Monday, December 29.

So now there’s a fair chance that Droylsden will be booted from the Cup.

Unless, of course, the FA decides to decide to let the result stand on a minor technicality. I mean, it could happen, right?

After all, FIFA set the precedent.

Some Related Stories:

Category: England