Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Review

Plenty of action for our member clubs

There was plenty of Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying action for our member clubs.

It was to be no fairy tale for Larkhall Athletic as they lost 3-2 at the hands of near-neighbours, Bath City. Goals from Jack Camm and Matt Bowman put them in dreamland as they raced into a two-goal lead only for the Vanarama National League South high-flyers to hit back to go through.

But it was fine entertainment for the record crowd at Plain Ham on an afternoon that showed what this competition is all about.

In front of a crowd of just under 1,900, Division One South high-flyers, Wimborne Town, succumbed to a 3-0 home set-back at the hands of Torquay United of the Vanarama National League South.

Premier South outfit, AFC Totton, went to Gloucester City of the Vanarama National League North and secured a superb 3-0 victory. Scott Rendell opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark before adding a second early in the second half and then completing his hat-trick to put the icing on the cake late on.

Bracknell Town came from behind to beat Havant & Waterloovile from the level above by two goals to one. Joe Grant got them back on level terms before Jordan Espirit bagged what proved to be the winner.

There was fantastic 4-1 away win for Hungerford Town as they made the short trip to Chippenham Town. Goals from Luke Carnell, Sean Moore and an Elis Watts (pictured) brace saw them make it through to the next round.

Two of our clubs enjoyed good 3-3 draws against higher level opposition as Biggleswade Town went to Bishop’s Stortford of the Vanarama National League North and battled out a replay, whilst Ware’s home clash with Chelmsford City saw the sides share six goals.

A routine 3-0 win saw Hitchin Town through at the expense of League rivals, AFC Sudbury, whilst Bromsgrove Sporting won 2-1 at Barwell and Halesowen Town were in fine form as they beat Alvechurch 5-2.

Premier Central leaders, Mickleover, continued their perfect start to the campaign as they overcame the challenge of Spalding United by three goals to one and Premier South leaders, Chesham United, also made it through courtesy of a 2-1 triumph at Farnham Town.

A professional display from Salisbury saw them go to in-form Mousehole and take a convincing 5-0 success back on the long trip home. It was similarly convincing for Poole Town who won 3-0 at Horndean and for Gosport Borough who beat Cribbs by the same scoreline.

A Harry Reilly goal was enough to see off the challenge of Sporting Khalsa as Kettering Town made it through. There was a much-needed victory for Berkhamsted as they won 3-1 at Eastbourne United, whilst Coalville Town left it late to beat Stafford Rangers 2-1 with Keiron Cook serving up the winner.

Progression was also made by Didcot Town as they beat Bristol Manor Farm 2-0, Needham Market who battled out a 1-0 triumph at Hashtag United and Stourbridge who look to start another adventure in this competition after disposing of Matlock Town by two goals to nil.

Replays are required during the week ahead for Barton Rovers as they were held at home by Wroxham, Redditch United who played out a goalless draw at Vanarama National League North outfit, Peterborough Sports, Plymouth Parkway and Frome Town who drew 2-2 and Winchester City, who went to Reading City and drew 1-1.

On Friday evening, Merthyr Town netted a late leveller to force a replay against Taunton Town, in a game that was played in front of almost 1,600 spectators in South Wales.

It’s the end of the road for Division One Central high-flyers, Bedford Town, as they were beaten at home by Gorleston, whilst Leamington lost 4-0 at Boston United, Hayes & Yeading United succumbed at home to Slough Town, Leiston, who went down 2-1 at the hands of St. Albans City, and Royston Town who lost 3-1 at home to Hemel Hempstead Town.