Page 7 - Deal Round Up April 2020

Thankfully the FA have held their ground and moving the finals back to Wembley in May - as
they have been in recent years since the inception of Non-League Finals Day - has restored
the show-piece final to its rightful place.
And it’s a competition that has thrown up some wonderful stories. Not least this season with
the incredible run of Step 4 duo Halesowen Town and Aveley.
Both caused upsets on their way to the quarter-final, where Aveley finally bowed out in front
of 500 travelling fans at Notts County.
Manager Keith Rowland couldn’t have been prouder of his players and spoke about how it
has helped their league form. Now their focus returns to
winning promotion from the BetVictor Isthmian Division
One North.
For Halesowen the journey, remarkably, continues. An
extra-time win against Barnet keeps their dream alive and
is conjuring memories of their famous past when they
were a big Non-League hitter in the 70s and 80s.
No one would have called the Yeltz reaching the final four. But 13 games later - including
replays - Paul Smith’s side are a two-legged semi-final away from reaching Wembley when
they meet National League South Concord Rangers who overcame Step 3 Royston on March
3rd. Both those sides are also enjoying fantastic runs of their own. It’s been the year of the
underdog in Non-League’s top cup comp.
On the face of it, all three will be thinking they’re unlikely to get a better chance of getting
to the famous stadium. National League pair Harrogate Town and Notts County make up the
other semi.
But the unpredictability is what makes the football so exciting. One lucky club will be climbing
the Wembley steps victorious not too long from now.
Yes, there will be a knock-on effect with their league fixtures. But what a great problem to
have - if you get there.
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