Emley AFC are off to Anfield in the FA Cup on Wednesday night after being reinstated into the competition.
The Pewits are heading for Liverpool but it’s not Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League outfit. Instead they are going to Lower Breck FC who play on an artificial pitch at Anfield Sports & Community Centre.
Emley were knocked out at the extra preliminary round stage when they lost 2-0 to Avro FC at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.
But last week came the surprise news that Avro had been thrown out for fielding an ineligible player – and Emley were back in a competition where they have history.
Oldham-based Avro blamed an “inadvertent administrative error” and issued a sincere apology. In a statement the club added: “We would like to wish Emley and Lower Breck all the best in the next round of the competition.
“We hope that they will represent the FA Cup with pride and passion as we would have done ourselves. Once again we apologise for the error.”
Emley manager Richard Tracey was surprised and delighted to be back in the cup and said: “It was a pure admin error and Avro have been very gracious in wishing us all the best.
“It’s opened the door to a very difficult game at Anfield. Going away to a club with an artificial pitch, which we don’t play on, and going to Liverpool on a midweek won’t be easy.
“We will go there with a game plan and make sure we’ll be hard to beat and keep ourselves in the competition. If you don’t get beat you are either going through and or bringing them back to your place.”
Tracey wasn’t sure whether the reinstatement meant the associated prizemoney was heading for Emley coffers but added: “At this stage I don’t think it’s a significant amount of money but any money is better than nothing when you didn’t play your best and got knocked out of the cup!
“This game is certainly an opportunity to raise a bit more money for the club and we’re delighted to be back in the competition.”
Lower Breck v Emley in the FA Cup Preliminary Round is on Wednesday August 23 (8pm) at Anfield Sports & Community Centre, Anfield, Liverpool, L6 0AG.