Information about Double Header & Dual Cup/League fixtures with examples.

To be able to complete the season it may be necessary to play Double Header fixtures and/or Dual Cup/League fixtures.

Background
These fixture types may be scheduled when a Team has insufficient fixture dates available to catch up un-played matches against the same opponent and/or to meet fixture deadlines determined by the League. To mitigate the backlog, multiple matches against the same opponent may be combined in one fixture meeting. The League will decide when Double Headers and/or Dual League/Cup fixtures are to be played and they will be clearly shown in the published fixture schedule and the home team identified. .

Fixture Types
Standard League - 1 fixture, 1 match played, 1 match result.
Standard Cup - 1 fixture, 1 match played, 1 match result, no extra time, penalties if drawn.
Dual Cup/League - 1 fixture, 1 match played, 2 match results, no extra time, penalties if drawn to settle Cup result only.
League Double Header - 1 fixture, 2 matches played, 2 match results.
Dual Cup/League Double Header - 1 fixture, 2 matches played, 3 match results, no extra time, penalties end of 2nd match if drawn to settle cup result only.

Fixture Durations
U12 - Standard 60 mins, Double Header 2 x 40 mins.
U13/U14 - Standard 70 mins, Double Header 2 x 40 mins.
U15/U16 - Standard 80 mins, Double Header 2 x 50 mins.
U17/U18 - Standard 90 mins, Double Header 2 x 50 mins.
Each match to be played in equal halves (e.g. 2 matches, 4 halves) with additional reasonable break (min 5 mins) between matches if a double header.
If insufficient pitch time matches may be reduced to normal fixture duration e.g. U12 2 x 40 min becomes 2 x 30 min.
If a match scheduled as part of a double header is not played e.g. it was overlooked and only one match was played, the League will determine what happens to the un-played match in accordance with League rules.

Sequence
First match in a double header is the away Team 'home' League match.
Second match in a double header is the home Team home match.
Cup/League match in a double header is the second match with penalties taken at the end if required to settle the cup result only.

Full-Time/Result Texts
League Double Headers are published showing one match at home for each team. The actual home team is identified by the venue which is published as the same for both matches and a note is displayed against each fixture.
NB: Do not presume the first fixture displayed in the Full-Time fixture list denotes the actual home team, the fixtures are displayed alphabetically in the system.
Dual Cup/League fixtures are published showing both matches at home for the actual home team.
Dual Cup/League Double headers are published as a combination of the two previous points.
A results text will be sent for each match. .
Agree the result and sequence with your opponent before replying.
Take care replying to each text and/or using the short codes to identify the match to be updated.
Incorrect replies may result in matches not being updated or updating with the wrong results.
Check Full-Time min 24hrs later to confirm update is correct, email the League if incorrect.

Players
Double Header Fixtures are classed as two separate matches, different players may participate or be named as substitutes for each match providing they are properly registered for the Team.
The normal match day squad size rule applies individually to each fixture, so you can take more than the maximum squad size to a double header but if you do not everyone can participate in both matches.
The substitutes for each match must be identified to the referee before the match commences.
Cards from the first match in a double header are not carried forward to the second match e.g. a player may be cautioned in both matches and not be sent off.
Any suspension that may arise from a sending off in the first match is not in force for the second match (it starts in 7 days) and the player may participate in the second match if selected.
If a player sent off in the first match misses the second match it does not count as a match served in any subsequent suspension.
A player suspended for a double header fixture may count both matches as served towards their suspension, or, if missing the first match completes their suspension, they may participate in the second match if selected.
The previous points do not apply to Dual Cup/League fixtures that are not Double Headers, a single Dual Cup/League fixture is 1 match.

Referees
Brief the referee in advance about the structure of the fixture, so they are prepared and allow sufficient time for the appointment.
Double Headers are 2 separate matches, it does not have to be the same Referee for both but usually is.
Referee fees paid for Double Header fixtures should be shared between the teams 50/50.
Referee fees paid for Double Headers should include a £5 supplement.
The previous two points do not apply to Dual Cup/League fixtures that are not Double Headers, in this case the normal fee is paid by the home team.

Example 1 Dual League & Cup Fixture

Team A Home v Team B Away
Play 1 standard duration match to produce 2 match results
Result is 1-1 draw, Team A win 5-4 on penalties
League match result 1-1 draw
Cup match result Team A win 1-1, 5-4 on penalties

Example 2 Double Header League Fixture.

Team A Home v Team B Away
Play 2 matches of the appropriate double header duration to satisfy 2 match results
Match 1 is away team 'home' fixture, Team B win, match result is 0-1
Match 2 is home team fixture, Team A win, match result is 1-0

Example 3 Dual League & Cup Double Header Fixture.

Team A Home v Team B Away
Play 2 matches of the appropriate double header duration to satisfy 3 match results, match 1 is League only, match 2 is dual League/Cup
Match 1 is the away team 'home' league fixture, Team B win, match result is 0-1
Match 2 is the home team league/cup fixture, normal time match result is 1-1
Match 2 penalties are taken at the end to settle the cup component, Team A win penalties 5-4
Match result 1 - League, Team B win 0-1
Match result 2 - League, Draw 1-1
Match result 3 - Cup, Team A win 1-1, 5-4 on penalties