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From Trafford Park to Wembley

From Trafford Park to Wembley

Adrian Gowling2 Aug 2022 - 19:26
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The 2022-23 FA Cup starts on Friday evening at the green and leafy Trafford Park in Norfolk.

The first tie in the Extra Preliminary Round of this year's competition will be between Norfolk sides Wroxham and Dereham Town and will kick off at 7:45 PM on 5th August.

Whilst it might stretch the imagination that either of these two giants of Norfolk football will be gracing the hallowed turf under the Wembley arch, supporters of local football are looking forward to the game. It has been some years since they have met competitively.

The Wroxham committee and directors are also hoping the crowd will be swelled by the supporters of non-league football and Norwich City who have their first home game of the season on Saturday. This FA Cup tie being deliberately switched from the Saturday for that purpose.

Wroxham Chairman, Lee Robson commented that it will be great to get the season started with the magic that the FA Cup brings. I hope to see lots of supporters at Trafford Park and fingers crossed, lots of smiling Yachtsmen at the end of the night.

Wroxham will be playing their football a step four of the non-league pyramid this season having been promoted into the Pitching In Isthmian league last April. Manager Jordan Southgate signed a new three-year contract alongside his management team in wake of that promotion and is hoping that the 2022-23 season will start with a victory and progress into the Preliminary round. The winners will meet Felixstowe and Walton United at home on August the 20th.

Since completion of the season, Southgate has been busy bringing in new signings who have experience at a high level to add to his young side. In come Ryan Hawkins, Robbie Linford, Josh Hazell, Josh Pond, James Wilson, Harry Barker and Jerry Dasaolou. Retained from last season is the Thurlow Nunn Premier League Golden Boot winner Ryan Miles.

The visitors, Dereham Town have had a difficult summer. After looking like potential play-off contenders, the Magpies dropped away at the end of last season to finish mid table. With both Wroxham and Gorleston gaining promotion and Lowestoft Town's relegation to Step Four, it looked like there would be a few local derbies to play this season. However, when the league allocations were made the Magpies found themselves placed in the Pitching In Northern League Midland Division and trips across to Warwickshire rather than to Essex await. This has prompted a number of departures from the playing staff who have moved to other clubs at the same level, mainly due to the extra travelling necessary.

Also, Dereham have been dealt a major blow with the departure of Adam Gusterson and Olly Willis in a managerial shake up in the last fortnight. Coming into the Manager role is Tom Parke. Parke has experienced Trafford Park having been Joint Manager of the Yachtsman at Step 5. His tenure lasted six months before being replaced by Jamie Godbold as he found it difficult to have consistency with results.

Tickets for the game are on sale via www.ticketsource.co.uk/wroxham-football-club. Supporters can also pay on the gate on the night. Tickets cost £9 for adults, £7.00 for concessions and £3.00 for under sixteens.

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