Bye for Robins as holders County pull out of Senior Cup
Altrincham have made it into the next round of the Cheshire Senior Cup without kicking a ball after Stockport County forfeited their tie with the Robins and withdrew from the competition.
The two sides were due to meet at Edgeley Park in the second round after Alty booked a trip to the current Cup holders with a thumping 4-0 win at Sandbach United last month.
But with County still in the Emirates FA Cup, and facing a second-round replay at home to Charlton after forcing a 2-2 draw with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser on Saturday, the League Two side found they were struggling to fit Alty's visit into a busy schedule.
Discussions were held with the Cheshire FA, as well as with the Robins, in an attempt to find a solution, but one that would have suited all parties proved elusive.
Stockport therefore announced this afternoon that, with respect to the competition and the teams involved, they were forfeiting the tie and, consequently, handing Alty a bye into the third round.