New Mills hope FA Vase clash can put 'frustrating' start to bed

The North West Counties League delayed it's start date until October 3 due to local lockdown restrictions in the area.

Since then New Mills have had three postponements, been handed a bye and lost their only competitive match 3-1 against Wythenshawe Town – in what Birch labelled a 'bad day at the office'.

And, as the Advertiser went to press, North West Counties League member clubs were being asked to vote on whether to suspend the season due to further rises in COVID-19 cases.

Clubs were being given the option of suspending the league until the end of October, suspending games for clubs in tier three lockdowns or to continue the campaign as proposed.

October 3's curtain raiser at Eccleshall was postponed due to a COVID-19 case in the hosts' camp.

A 3-1 home defeat to Wythenshawe Town followed before two further postponements.

Saturday's original FA Vase date at Church Lane against Winterton Rangers fell foul to a waterlogged pitch before Tuesday night's league encounter against Wythenshawe Amateurs was put on hold just hours before kick off due to further COVID fears, this time in the Amateurs' squad.

"It's been a really frustrating start," confessed Birch, whose side are due to entertain Lincolnshire-based Winterton, of the Northern Counties East League Division One, this Saturday in their second attempt at playing the Vase contest.

"It's a big game for the club. We don't know much about them if I'm honest. They're doing ok in their division.

"We're going into it blind but we'll give it a good go."

"To add to the delay (in the league) we got a bye in the last round of the FA Vase, the first game of the season.

"Normally you'd be happy with that but I was really frustrated with that as the lads were champing at the bit."

Winterton have recorded four wins and a draw from six competitive matches so far this season.

Saturday’s second qualifying round contest at Church Lane will kick off at 3pm.