One of the stories of the Emirates FA Cup fourth round qualifying weekend was Bracknell Town’s victory over Vanarama National League outfit, Dagenham & Redbridge, where a stoppage time winner from Kameron English sent the Pitching In Southern League Premier South club through to the first round proper for the second season in succession.
It was dramatic stuff and their reward is an away tie at EFL League One outfit, Cambridge United, in the first round, which takes place at the beginning of November.
For goalscorer English, the achievement is only just sinking in as we spoke to him just 48 hours after his special moment.
“Honestly, words can’t even describe it,” he said. “The feeling of scoring a goal is one thing, but to do it in front of the fans in the 94th minute to send us through to the first round proper of the FA Cup for the second year running is something you dream of as a child.
“I woke up on Sunday morning and I said to myself; ‘did that really just happen?’ I think for anyone who was at the game probably felt the same way. It was one of those ‘you had to be there’ moments, something that will stay with me forever.
“I’d had two chances in quick succession earlier on in the game and thought to myself that the moment had gone, but when I looked over at the board to see seven minutes of stoppage time, I felt that as a team we had one more decent chance in us, not knowing that it would actually fall to me!
“I remember Granty [Joe Grant] running down the right, checking back then sliding through Lodgey [Ashley Lodge] and as he’s put the ball in to the box, it’s missed about four players and then fell at my feet - that’s when I knew I’d score!
“It’s probably why I took an extra touch because I felt so relaxed in that moment. As I say, it’s a moment I will treasure for the rest of my life.
“Our reward is the chance to test ourselves against League One opponents in Cambridge United. Just like in our previous games, we have nothing to fear. We’ve earned our place at this stage of the competition with some convincing wins against tough sides.
“The hardest fight gives the biggest reward and this is what the FA Cup is all about.
“Before we can think about the Cambridge game, though, we have some League games to catch up on, starting against Basingstoke Town on Tuesday night.
“For now our focus is on this as we look to get back into winning ways in the League. I think the break away from the battle for points has done us good and the confidence that we’ve gained from Saturday’s win will stand us in good stead.
“It was a monumental moment and we can definitely look to build from here and start climbing the League table on the back of it.”
The Robins have won four of their ten League outings so far and with two home games coming up in quick succession, against Basingstoke Town on Tuesday evening and AFC Totton on Saturday, they will be looking to move into the top half of the table.
The Emirates FA Cup first round proper draw looks like this for our member clubs:
Chester v York City or Needham Market | Braintree Town or Chesham United v Maidstone United | Cambridge United v Bracknell Town.
IMAGE: @jalsportsphoto
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