March to the Arch 4: Bloaters beat the ' Side in the opening salvo

The Premier League and Football League programmes all began today, in fact all football is back. We thought it would be a good time to catch up with the Extra Preliminary Round of the F.A.Cup. The tournament started last weekend, as always, our March to the Arch feature took its first steps for the 2012/2013 season.

We opened, by tradition, at Oakside the home of the mighty Barkingside FC. Also, unfortunately by tradition, the 'Side bowed out at the 1st attempt.

To be fair, it did take a replay. Last Saturdays match, versus Great Yarmouth Town, ended as a 1-1 draw and the bloaters brought the 'side back to their plaice (I know, it's spelt wrong, think about it).

Great Yarmouth Mercury will take the story from here,

A late switch of venue proved to be no problem for Great Yarmouth Town as they booked their place in the preliminary round of the FA Cup with an impressive 3-0 victory over Barkingside last night.

The Bloaters had to play the replay at Kirkley & Pakefield’s Walmer Road ground because The Wellesley was being used for an athletics meeting.

But they shone in the unusual surroundings, with Mitch Forbes scoring a hat-trick (20, 73 76) to set up a genuine home match against Witham Town in the preliminary round on August 25.

I thank you Great Yarmouth Mercury. So the Bloaters will represent Sports Pulse in the Preliminary round of the F.A.Cup next week in our March to the Arch feature.