Moneys unsure over Invitational Cup entry
Clubs have until tonight to let the Hampshire FA know if they want to take part in the Invitational Cup tournament being planned after lockdown restrictions are eased.
Clubs across steps 3-6 of the non-league pyramid have been canvassed as to whether they want to use the competition to return to match action once outdoor team sport can resume on March 29.
So far, Baffins Milton Rovers and Horndean have said they definitely won’t be entering.
And Moneyfields could be another absentee as they still haven’t appointed a new manager yet.
The five names on the club’s shortlist to replace Dave Carter - who quit to join AFC Portchester last month - have all been interviewed.
Chairman Pete Seiden said yesterday that the club’s nine-man board will be convening tomorrow with a view to picking what will be only Moneyfields’ third manager since 2003.
He added: ‘We’re considering whether to take part in the Invitational Cup.
‘It could be that if we do enter we’d look to play a mixture of the first team and reserves.
‘We’re still waiting to see whether the reserves will be restarting (their Hampshire Premier League) season.’
Portland United are another Wessex Premier club who have said they won’t be taking part in any Invitational Cup.
The Invitational Cup is scheduled to start on the first weekend after Easter, on Saturday April
10, comprising comprise geographically based groups followed by a knockout stage.
A maximum of 47 clubs could have entered – the 39 Wessex League clubs plus Southern League outfits Gosport, Moneyfields, Farnborough, AFC Totton, Sholing, Winchester, Basingstoke and Hartley Wintney.
Gosport, Portchester, Fareham and US Portsmouth have all said they are happy to take part - though the latter two said fixtures must be worked around their FA Vase commitments.