Billericay Town striker Paul Fewings has unwittingly found himself at the centre of an FA Trophy upset.

Fewings is on loan at Town's Ryman Premier rivals Bishop's Stortford, who have been thrown out of the Trophy over a mix-up involving the New Lodge player.

Stortford, managed by ex-Arsenal star Martin Hayes, won through to the third round of the Trophy when they beat Ryman Division One North Marlow 3-2 in last week's replay following a 2-2 draw.

But the Hertfordshire club were found guilty by the FA of using former Football League striker Fewings, who has been with them on loan, without gaining permission from Billericay.

Now Stortford have been chucked out of the competition and Marlow reinstated -- to play a money-spinning third round tie at Nationwide Conference side Dagenham and Redbridge on January 11.

By coincidence, yesterday's draw for the fourth round of the Bryco Cup, threw up the intriguing possibility of a fourth round clash between Stortford and Billericay -- if both pull off round three successes next week.

Stortford entertain Basingstoke, while Billericay go to Ford United -- both are all Premier clashes --with the New Lodge side then acting as hosts if they win through.

Billericay chiefs were unavailable for comment as the Evening Echo went to press.

But it is understood that clubs taking players on loan have to obtain permission to use them in FA competitions, something Billericay claim Stortford did not do.

The punishment handed out by the FA means that the authorities followed Billericay's stand on the matter.

Published Thursday, December 12, 2002

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