2020–21 FA Trophy


The 2020–21 FA Trophy was the 52nd season of the FA Trophy, an annual football competition for teams at levels 5-8 of the English National League System. In a change in format from previous years, the competition consisted of three qualifying rounds, and seven proper rounds. Teams from level 8 entered into the first and second qualifying rounds, level 7 into the third qualifying round, level 6 into round 2, and level 5 into round 3.
All matches were in a single-match knockout format, with the winner decided by penalties if the match was drawn after 90 minutes, apart from the [|Final] where the winner was decided by extra-time and penalties if the match was drawn. This was a change from previous seasons where replays were used and where the semi-finals were scheduled as two-legged; the changes reflected the late start of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. The final was a single-match held at Wembley Stadium.

Calendar

The calendar for the 2020-21 Buildbase FA Trophy, as announced by The Football Association.
RoundMain DateNumber of FixturesClubs RemainingNew Entries This RoundLosing ClubWinning Club
First round qualifying26 September 202017293 → 27634£450£1,500
Second round qualifying17 October 202061276 → 215105£575£2,250
Third round qualifying31 October 202074215 → 14187£625£2,450
First round proper8 December 202037141 → 1040£775£3,000
Second round proper15 December 202040104 → 6443£1,000£3,750
Third round proper19 December 20203264 → 3224£1,250£4,500
Fourth round proper16 January 20211632 → 160£1,500£5,250
Fifth round proper6 February 2021816 → 80£1,750£6,000
Quarter-finals27 February 202148 → 40£2,000£7,500
Semi-finals27 March 202124 → 20£5,000£15,000
Final8 May 202112 → 10£30,000£60,000

First round qualifying

The draw was made on 18 August 2020. All results taken from The Football Association website.
TieHome team ScoreAway team
9Hullbridge Sports 0–1Ashford Town
10Hythe Town 3–0Chalfont St Peter 178
11AFC Sudbury 1–2Barking 178
12Felixstowe & Walton United 2–1Great Wakering Rovers 202
13Northwood Basildon United 111
14AFC Dunstable 1–2Tooting & Mitcham United 97
15Witham Town 0–2Hanwell Town 104
16Melksham Town North Leigh 259
17Cirencester Town Paulton Rovers 100

Second round qualifying

The draw was made on 18 August 2020.

Third round qualifying

The draw was made on 19 October 2020. Due to the withdrawal of Merthyr Town from the competition, there was an odd number of teams competing in this round. As a result, Willand Rovers were drawn to receive a bye to the first round proper.

First round proper

The draw was made on 2 November 2020. Originally scheduled for 14 November 2020, the first round proper ties were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second round proper

The draw was made on 9 December 2020.

Third round proper

The draw was made on 9 December with ties scheduled to be played on 19 December. Stamford were awarded a bye due to the withdrawal of Macclesfield Town.

Fourth round proper

The draw was made on 21 December, with ties initially scheduled to be played on 16 January.

Fifth round proper

The draw was made on 18 January, with ties initially scheduled to be played on 6 February.

Quarter-finals

The draw was made on 8 February 2021, with ties scheduled to be played on 27 February.

Semi-finals

The draw was made on 1 March 2021, with ties scheduled to be played on 27 March.
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Final

The final was held on Saturday 22 May 2021.