Time to crown your cup kings
THERE’S nothing like a good old Cup run to get the juices flowing at a football club.
It’s not just league form which constitutes a successful season so to honour those clubs who have made a big impact in the knockout competitions, we ate throwing more glory their way in the shape of the National Game Awards Cup Run of the Year award, again sponsored by Acerbis.
This is a prize which always takes plenty of consideration and this year is no different with Non-League clubs once again hogging the headlines with some big giantkilling acts.
Our job now is to crown the ultimate cup kings – but we need your help as we prepare for the National Game Awards ceremony – again kindly sponsored by Buildbase – to be held at Plough Lane Stadium, on June 14.
Think 2022 NonLeague Cup success and Boreham Wood will not stray far from your thoughts.
Luke Garrard’s men disposed of Barnet, Eastleigh and local rivals St Albans City to reach the third round of the FA Cup where they played host to our hosts of the NGAs, AFC Wimbledon.
A 2-0 victory over the League One Dons earned them a trip to Championship high-fliers AFC Bournemouth but the run didn’t end there either as 38-yearold Mark Ricketts sent them through to round five and a trip to Premier League Everton.
Over 2,000 Wood fans made the Thursday night journey to Goodison Park where a Salomon Rondon brace finally stopped them in their tracks, but it was an occasion – and achievement – that the Hertfordshire club won’t ever forget.
But it wasn’t just Boreham Wood, who will hold the FA Cup close to their hearts this year. Kidderminster Harriers took care of Grimsby Town and FC Halifax Town to earn a thirdround home date with Championship side Reading, where they came from behind to win 2-1.
That earned them a dream home fourth-round clash with Premier League giants West Ham United and came to within seconds of knocking the Hammers out before Declan Rice’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser. Jarrod Bowen’s last-gasp winner broke Kiddy hearts but by this time Russ Penn’s men had already earned hero status.
Elsewhere, Step 4 AFC Sudbury made it all the way to first round stage and Stamford went from the extra preliminary round all the way through to the fourth qualifying.
In the FA Trophy, Step 3 Cheshunt made it all the way through to round five before being edged out 1-0 by Stockport County, who also saw off a brave run from Needham Market who had great wins against Wealdstone, Yeovil Town and Dartford.
FA Vase finalists Newport Pagnell Town and Littlehampton Town can’t go unnoticed, nor Step 6 Loughborough Students, who made it all the way to the semi-final under Jamie Clapham.
There’s no-one better placed than the fans to pick the winner of this award, so what are you waiting for? Get in touch and crown your cup kings!