WHETHER you think it's fair or not, Falmouth Town have cultivated a bit of a reputation as a 'cup team' over the last couple of seasons.

The facts don't lie: Town have won two cup competitions and been the losing finalist in another in the last two years or so, while they were also still standing in the latter stages of two tournaments last season before the coronavirus intervened.

As well as that tangible success, Town's cup exploits have provided memorable 'I was there' moments (Longlevens, anyone?) and seen crowds flock back to Bickland Park in their hundreds.

It was therefore a great shame to learn that cups are going to act as the sacrificial lamb in the truncated 2020/21 season, which will get underway at least a month later than usual.

I understand that concessions have to be made in this most unprecedented of situations we find ourselves in, but it's still disappointing when county cups like the Senior Cup are still coveted in Cornwall, which is not always the case elsewhere in the country.

The FA have not closed the door on county and league cups – left it on the latch, rather – so an adapted and shortened version of the cup could still be played, perhaps in May after the season has ended.

At least we should still get the FA Vase, which the FA are keen to press on with next season, so another Longlevens moment could be possible – although surely they couldn't do that again?

I believe Town are returning to training – which remains in groups of six at most as per Government guidelines – this week.

That will no doubt be a huge fillip for Andrew Westgarth and his squad, who last played football together in that comeback 3-2 win at home to St Blazey in the League Cup on March 11, some 112 days ago.

That victory put Town into the semi-finals to face either Bovey Tracey or Mousehole, and they've now got a date for that tie, with the SWPL announcing a preliminary date for their Walter C Parson League Cup semi-final earlier this week.

The tie was due to be played at the end of March until Covid-19 came along, with the tie now slated to take place on Wednesday, August 19, should the Government allow football to resume by then.

On a side note, it was sad to see James Ward depart Town for the second summer in succession a couple of weeks ago.

The centre-back enjoyed a successful, if brief, stint at Truro City at the start of last season before returning to Town in November, but his increase in profile over the last 12 months has meant that he was always going to be attracting interest from elsewhere.

Indeed, it was a bit of a coup for Town just to secure the return of Ward in November.

That aforementioned interest came from ambitious Western League side Plymouth Parkway, who have lured Ward to Bolitho Park as they look to earn promotion to the Southern League next season.

Best of luck, Wardy.