Carlton Town and West Bridgford FC are two teams from Nottinghamshire who were expected to play in Saturdays FA Cup Preliminary Round stage that have now been awarded byes due to the opposition conceding their ties no thanks to covid-19.

Carlton were supposed to face GNG Oadby Town on Saturday after beating Loughborough University in penalties at the Extra Preliminary Round stage last time out but due to an Oadby player testing positive for coronavirus that match will no longer take place and Carlton have been awarded the tie.

Same thing with West Bridgford FC who were hoping to play against Lincoln United in what was supposed to be the furthest the club had been in the famous old competition. Due to Lincoln having a number of players test positive for covid-19 they issued a statement yesterday to concede the tie and withdraw from the cup with immediate effect.

This is sadly going to affect a number of teams moving forward with tests releasing a small surge in positive cases in recent weeks and is not the way that any club will want to go through in the FA Cup.

West Bridgford in reaching the first qualifying round have made history for them but it is with sadness at the expense of a team that cannot fulfil their tie. In the extra preliminary round West Bridgford beat Dunkirk at Regatta Way on penalties to set up what would have been a memorable tie at home against Lincoln but instead the club will now go straight through into the first qualifying round which will be played from Tuesday 22^nd September.

Other Notts clubs involved at the Preliminary Round stage this weekend include Worksop Town who travel to Anstey Nomads, Newark who visit Maltby Main and AFC Mansfield who make the trip to Cleethorpes Town with all matches being played this Saturday 3pm Kick Offs.

Tickets are limited for those games still going ahead so check with your local clubs before you travel.

*Main image @FA the FA Cup with Emirates sponsored ribbons in all its glory at Wembley Stadium.