The2021–22 FA Trophy (known for sponsorship reasons as theBuildbase FA Trophy) was the 53rd season of theFA Trophy, an annualfootball competition for teams at levels 5-8 of the EnglishNational League System. The competition consisted of three qualifying rounds, and seven proper rounds. Teams from level 8 entered into the first qualifying round and second qualifying round, level 7 into the third qualifying round, level 6 (theNational League North andNational League South) into round 2, and level 5 (theNational League) into round 3.[citation needed]
All matches were in a single-matchknockout 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.[citation needed] This was the same format as the2020–21 season which was a change from previous seasons where replays were used and where the semi-finals were scheduled as two-legged.[citation needed]
The draw for the second qualifying round was made on 9 July 2021, and saw 119 clubs from tier 8 joining the 19 winners from the first qualifying round.[3]
The draw for the third qualifying round was made on 11 October 2021, and saw 87 clubs from tier 7 joining the 69 winners from the second qualifying round.[5]
The draw for the first round proper was made on 1 November 2021, and featured the 78 winners from the third qualifying round with no additional teams.[6]
The draw for the second round took place on 15 November 2021, featuring the 39 winners from the previous round as well as the 43 teams entering from the sixth tier.[7]
The draw for the third round took place on 29 November 2021, with the winners of the 41 second round proper matches being joined by the 23 National League clubs.[8]
The draw for the fourth round took place on 20 December 2021 and was made up of the 32 winners from the previous round.Plymouth Parkway andLarkhall Athletic of the eighth tier were the lowest-ranked teams remaining.[11]
The draw for the fifth round took place on 17 January 2022 and was made up of the 16 winners from the previous round.Cheshunt,Morpeth Town,Needham Market andStourbridge of the seventh tier were the lowest-ranked teams remaining.[12]
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 14 February 2022 and was made up of the 8 winners from the previous round.Needham Market of the seventh tier were the lowest-ranked team remaining.
The draw for the semi-finals took place on 14 March 2022 and featured the four winners from the previous round.York City of the sixth tier were the lowest-ranked team remaining.
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