Disappointing Night Overall for Southern League Clubs in FA Trophy

Tuesday was a disappointing night for Pitching In Southern Football League clubs in the Buildbase FA Trophy.

None of the six teams playing against Vanarama National League North were able to produce an upset, leaving only Premier Division South side Chesham United and Division One Central outfit Welwyn Garden City going through to the Third Round.

Meanwhile, the tie between National League North Alfreton Town and Division One Central side Bedford Town at the Impact Arena was postponed due to a positive case of Covid-19 in the Eagles squad.

After liaising with the FA it was confirmed that the fixture could be re-arranged within five days.

Division One Central side Coleshill Town had a nightmare of an evening at Pack Meadow against AFC Telford United, losing 10-1!

Hat tricks for Dom McHale and Aaron Williams, along with goals from Lee Vaughan, James Hardy, Jack Byrne and Eddie Jones, meant the Bucks achieved their highest score and highest victory margin in a game since their reformation in 2004.

The hosts, whose consolation goal came from Gio Dainty in the 47th minute, weren’t helped by the 18th minute dismissal of Shay Palmer for raising a hand into the face of a Telford player.

Coleshill`s league rivals St Neots Town were beaten 3-0 at Edgar Street by famed cup side Hereford but were certainly not disgraced in defeat.

The Saints almost opened the scoring seconds after kick-off but Ryan Robbins` effort struck the post and bounced to safety.

It was against the run of play that the Bulls opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Jamie Grimes headed home at the far post.

Then, a few minutes later, the home side doubled their lead with a 35-yard effort from Kyle Finn that took a bit of a deflection before finding the top corner.

The tie was put to bed on 66 minutes when Lenell John-Lewis netted, also with the aid of a deflection.

The scoreline in the end didn`t really reflect how well St Neots did on the night, however.

Of the Premier Division Central teams in action on Tuesday, Royston Town came the closest to causing an upset.

They made the journey to St James`s Park to take on Brackley Town and were involved in a five-goal thriller that the Northamptonshire just edged in the end.

The hosts got off to a great start with a goal inside the opening minute when Ashley Chambers headed home a corner.

And it was 2-0 after 17 minutes when Shane Byrne fired home from the edge of the area.

But 5 minutes later, the Crows were back in the tie when Brandon Adams scored from 18 yards.

The first half ended with the visitors still well in the game – and they increased home concerns of an upset when they equalised within 3 minutes of the second half restarting when Spyros Mentis followed up to net after an initial effort had been blocked.

However, parity lasted barely 3 minutes when a looping header from Ty Mitford was knocked over the line by Chambers for his second of the game.

The Crows then had a great chance to pull level with 18 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty.

But Adams` effort was saved by Hereford `keeper Danny Lewis and the home side saw out the rest of the game.

Needham Market also gave a good account of themselves at Gloucester City following a 4-2 defeat.

An emotional evening with Gloucester supporters finally able to see their side back in the City for the first time in 13 years, saw Bernard Mensah reward them with a goal in the opening minute.

And it looked like being a long night for the Marketmen when Matt McClure doubled the Tigers lead after 12 minutes.

On 26 minutes, Gloucester had the chance to go three-up when Josh Pollard clipped the back of Mensah`s heels in the box, but McClure`s penalty was well saved by Marcus Garnham.

The Tigers did get their third goal though 6 minutes later through Jack James.

The visitors pulled one back 5 minutes before half-time through Pollard to give them hope.

Then, 8 minutes after the restart, Ben Fowkes reduced the deficit to just one.

But a mistake from the otherwise excellent Garnham proved costly with James making it 4-2 18 minutes from time.

St Ives Town suffered a 5-0 defeat at The Community Stadium against Leamington, although the scoreline was a little harsh on the visitors.

But a hat-trick from Lance Smith and a brace from Danny Waldron sealed the Brakes` passage.

Nuneaton Borough also conceded five at Latimer Park against old rivals Kettering Town.

However, Nuneaton were dramatically reduced to ten-men after just 8 minutes when goalkeeper Tony Breedon was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Ben Stephens.

But the ten-men shocked their hosts when, on 22 minutes, as they took the lead through Joel Kettle.

The Poppies went on the make the most of their one-man advantage with Decarry Sheriff completing a hat-trick, with Kyle Perry and Ryan Fryatt adding the others to make it a nap hand.

Chesham progressed through to the Third Round after winning 3-1 at Parkside against Isthmian League North side Aveley.

The Generals took a 15th minute lead through Steve Brown.

But on 26 minutes, Aveley`s Darrell Russell was given a straight red card for a late challenge.

The Millers kept the scoreline 1-0 until half-time but went two-down just shy of the hour-mark when Zak Joseph doubled Chesham`s lead.

Eight minutes from time, the hosts were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty which Freddie Gard converted, despite Chesham `keeper Sam Beasant getting a strong hand on the ball.

The tie was sealed 3 minutes into stoppage time when Chesham sub Dave Pearce made it 3-1.

Welwyn Garden City`s record-breaking run continues as they made it into the Third Round by edging out Isthmian League South East side Burgess Hill Town 2-1 at Herns Way.

The hosts took the lead after just 7 minutes when Lee Close headed home a Robbie Buchanan cross.

And the Citizens doubled their advantage on 31 minutes with a fine volley from Carl Mensah.

The on 72 minutes, Nathan Cooper pulled the Hillians back into the game.

And on 76 minutes, the hosts were dealt a massive blow when they had Mensah dismissed for a second bookable offence.

But 4 minutes into time added on at the end of the game, keeper Charlie Crowley keeps Welwyn in the lead with a tremendous save.

The reward for Nick Ironton`s side is a tie with National League giants Aldershot Town.

The league will now be looking to Premier Division South sides Truro City, whose game was postponed, and Poole Town, to fly the flag against National League South teams Concord Rangers and Maidstone United respectively on Saturday.