LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE STILL BECKONS DIAL SQUARE
Non-League Dial Square are within a shout of making it a league and cup double this season after they were reinstated into the Surrey FA Saturday Intermediate Cup.
It comes after the awe-inspiring Surrey Premier County Football League side, which affectionately draws its name from Arsenal’s humble beginnings, were returned to the county cup after close rivals Bagshot were expelled over a rule breach.
The Baggies were found to have fielded three ineligible players in the 1-1 draw against The Dial on 30 November 2024, which the hosts went onto win 4-2 on penalties.
Under the competition rules, no player is allowed to compete in the Saturday Intermediate Cup who has taken part in any senior cup or senior league game during the current season.
Bagshot’s elimination means that Dial will now travel to Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division side Shottermill and Haslemere on 8 February 2025 (130pm k.o.) for a place in the quarter-final.
And with only three clubs eligible for promotion from the Surrey Premier County Football League this season, including Dial, boss Steve Brown will be hoping his players can turn up the heat throughout February and March to progress in the cup and knock on the door of the National League System (steps 1-6 of the non-League pyramid).
To do so, Dial will need to beat fellow promotion-chasers AFC Walcountians away on 29 March 2025, and hope that the Cobham-based side drop points over the winter period to make Dial’s run-in a little less fraught.
If results go their way, April could be a big month for Dial, with the potential of equalling the record of four successive promotions since being formed, and the opportunity to reach their first county cup final.
For more news and fixture information, go to www.dialsquarefc.com.