Potential Upsets Avoided….

Several Pitching In Southern League clubs can breathe a huge sigh of relief on Saturday evening, having come through potential banana skin Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round ties.

Goals from Stuart Green and a Dan Mason brace saw Division One South club Sholing through 3-1 at Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Premier neighbours Alton Town.

Premier Division South club Truro City avoided an upset at Bolitho Park by seeing off Toolstation Western League Premier Division visitors Exmouth Town 3-0 with first half goals from Rocky Neal after 16 minutes, Ryan Brett 10 minutes later and then Tyler Harvey just before the break.

Exmouth`s league rivals Shepton Mallet were put to the sword by Truro`s rivals Taunton Town at West Shepton Playing Fields.

Toby Holmes struck a hat-trick, Gethyn Hill a brace and there were singles from Ollie Chamberlain, Dan McBeam and Jared Lewington as the Peacocks ran out 8-1 winners.

Another Premier Division South side through away from home were Wimborne Town, who triumphed 3-0 at former Southern League and now Wessex Premier outfit, Blackfield & Langley.

It was a great day for Magpies striker Lewis Beale, who netted a hat-trick to see his side safely through.

Another Premier Division South outfit, Farnborough, eased through 4-0 at home to Southern Combination League Premier Division side Peacehaven & Telscombe.

It was goalless at the break, and then Nic Ciardini put Boro in front just 2 minutes after the restart.

Paul Hodges doubled that 8 minutes later and then a brace from Louie Paget after 59 and 61 minutes – the second from the spot – saw Boro safely through.

Premier Division Central club Nuneaton Borough faced a tricky trip to Lichfield City, who were promoted to the Midland League Premier Division at the end of last season.

But Jimmy Ginnelly`s men came through 3-1, although it took them 70 minutes to make the breakthrough with a goal from Ryan Edmunds.

The on 81 minutes, Louis Baker`s first senior goal doubled Boro`s lead, and although City pulled one back from the penalty spot, a third from Jordan Goddard on 87 minutes sealed victory for the visitors.

Division One South club Cirencester Town saw off United Counties League Premier Division South side Easington Sports 3-0 at the Corinium Stadium.

Goals from Ben Whitehead on 39 and 50 minutes and Levi Irving in the 77th minute won it for the Centurians.

Premier Division Central club Bromsgrove Sporting were given a tough test at the Victoria Ground by United Counties League Premier Division North side Loughborough Students.

The opening goal came after 32 minutes from Leon Broadhurst.

And a 75th minute Cody Fisher effort made sure there was to be no upset.

Sporting`s league rivals Banbury United were also given a tough afternoon before seeing off Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division neighbours Ardley United 1-0, courtesy of a beauty from Alex Babos curled into the far corner from 20 yards 6 minutes into the second half.

Another Premier Division Central club through against lower league opposition are Stratford Town, who won 3-1 at the Bill Stokeld Stadium against Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Carlton Town.

After trailing at half-time to a 26th minute Niall Davie effort, the Bards came back to win, thanks to Dan Vann immediately after the break, Jaanai Gordon on 61 minutes and Will Grocott 9 minutes from the end.

Premier Division South club Gosport Borough saw off Division One South new boys Plymouth Parkway 2-1 in a thriller in front of 555 at Privett Park.

New loan signing from Havant & Waterlooville, Theo Widdrington, gave Boro a 26th minute lead from the penalty spot.

But 2 minutes after half-time, Parkway had Callum Hall sent-off but still managed a 56th minute equaliser from Will Palfrey.

And it looked as though it was going to be a long midweek trip to Devon for Boro – until Nicky Dembele grabbed a 90th minute winner for the hosts.

Gosport`s league rivals Harrow Borough came out on top of their tie at Earlsmead against Isthmian South East side Ramsgate.

James Ewington gave Boro an early 2nd minute lead that Jordan Chiedozie immediately cancelled out.

Danny Lear then gave the Rams a 31st minute lead but Frak Keita`s goal just before the break sent the sides into half-time all-square.

Ewington`s second after 68 minutes and then George Moore 4 minutes from time saw the hosts safely through.

Another Premier Division South club, Kings Langley, have only managed to put a point on the board in the league, and only just squeezed through their tie at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium against ten-man Isthmian North side Romford.

Kings were staring an upset in the face as Boro led 2-0 with goals from Christian Adu Gyamfi after 31 minutes and L`heureux Menga 6 minutes later, but Ed Toiny-Pendred crucially pulled one back just before the interval.

But Romford had midfielder Usoman Tunkara dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 77th minute, and that proved to be the turning point.

Harry Crawford came off the bench and equalised in the 84th minute and then won it as stoppage time ticked in.

Division One Central clubs Barton Rovers and Thame United earned very creditable replays away to Isthmian Premier Division teams.

Rovers held Hornchurch to a 1-1 Bridge Road draw in which Bradley Bell`s 71st minute effort cancelled out sub Charlie Ruff`s 69th minute opener for the Urchins.

Thame held Margate to a 2-2 draw at Hartsdown Park – and it was so nearly an upset.

Lynton Goss gave United an early 8th minute lead that Dan Thompson eventually levelled on the hour-mark.

But Ryan Blake shocked the majority in the 457 crowd when he restored Thame`s lead on 69 minutes but Gate earned a second chance when Jake Embery equalised 2 minutes into stoppage time.