FA Cup replays scrapped to ease fixture congestion

Cobblers took Wayne Rooney's Derby County to a replay in the fourth round last season.

The FA Cup has ditched replays for the 2020/21 season to 'ease pressure' on the crammed football calendar following the coronavirus pandemic.

The competition, which will begin with the extra preliminary round on Tuesday, September 1, has also cut its prize money by half.

Cobblers enjoyed a fine run in the FA Cup last season and reached the fourth round, earning over £600,000 in prize money as a result, but there will be no repeat of their replay against Derby County for the 2020/21 season.

Cobblers will enter the competition at the first round stage on Saturday, November 7. The final is due to be played on Saturday, May 15.

A statement read: "In order to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season.

"After two seasons of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."