READY FOR AN AUGUST START
THE South West Peninsula League aims to restart foot- ball next month by completing their Walter C Parsons League Cup ahead of any restart to the 2020/21 season.
Under the current plan announced by the Step 6 league’s board, the outstanding four games in last season’s trophy will be squeezed into the latest August window possible, leaving the door open for participating clubs to play friendlies before the cup ties.
During a consultation exercise with the five clubs still involved in the cup, only one of them was prepared to play games behind closed doors, although none objected to a sensible crowd limit if that is imposed as part of restarting Pyramid football. Therefore the board has said that will not sanction any of the games unless a reasonable crowd attendance at games is permitted.
Schedule
For the games, the five teams will be able to pick any player who is signed up to them by July 1, irrespective of whether they are cup-tied from previous rounds with other clubs.
Clubs can also register three more players by the “operative date” of August 7, but such signings must be first approved by the league, and will excluding any who normally play at a higher level. However, in emergencies a club can also register a new goalkeeper at any time.
It is intended to start the games on August 15, but a final decision will be made on August 7 depending on whether the FA will sanction the schedule.
The proposed schedule is: August 15: Bovey Tracey v Mousehole; August 19: Elmore v Millbrook (at Ivybridge); August 21: Mousehole v Falmouth Town (at Helston) or August 22 Bovey Tracey v Falmouth Town (at Bodmin Town) with the final being played at Liskeard Athletic’s ground on Saturday, August 29.
Two of the clubs asked for financial assistance towards playing but have been told by the league that they cannot assist, as they are already picking up the neutral ground hire and match officials fees. However, consideration will be given to grant Bovey Tracey a sum of money to assist in staging the only non-neutral ground tie, if capacity ends up being restricted.
A league statement said that if games cannot be confirmed by August 7 as being able to be played and to take place in front of supporters or if another pre-season period is announced by the FA, the cup schedule will be moved or cancelled by the board.