Bridon Ropes' second chance in The FA Vase after Epsom & Ewell get away with playing suspended player in original tie

BRIDON ROPES have been given a second bite of the cherry in The FA Vase after The Football Association gave Epsom & Ewell a controversial second chance.

The two sides met each other in the First Qualifying Round on Sunday 20 September, with Epsom & Ewell winning 4-0 at Leatherhead’s Fetcham Grove ground.

Epsom & Ewell were due to play Eastbourne-based Langney Wanderers in the next round of the competition yesterday afternoon but that game was put on hold after revealing that they fielded an ineligible player in the original tie.

A club statement said: “Regrettably Epsom & Ewell must announce that our FA Vase match against Langney Wanderers has been postponed.

“It transpires that in the previous round against Bridon Ropes we fielded a player who was suspended, following a sending off in Sunday football. Epsom & Ewell were completely unaware of this situation.

“In view of the circumstances, The FA has shown leniency and have kept us in the competition, although they have stated that the original tie against Bridon Ropes is to be replayed.

“The winners of this re-arranged match will then host Langney Wanderers the following weekend. If that were to be us, then any tie would be on Sunday 18 October and our league match at Godalming Town would be postponed.

“We apologise for the short notice of this postponement to everyone who was planning to attend this match and particularly to our original opponents Langney Wanderers. We hope to be in a position to play them very shortly.”

The re-arranged game will take place in Leatherhead on Tuesday, 13 October, which means Bridon Ropes’ First Division trip to Bromley to play Holmesdale the following evening has been postponed.

Lee Roots’ side reached the FA Vase First Round for the first time after beating AFC Varndeanians 2-0 at Oakley Road.

Bridon Ropes are currently bottom of the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table having lost all four of their league games.