There was Emirates FA Cup joy for Sholing as they went to unbeaten Pitching In Southern League Premier South high-flyers, Basingstoke Town and recovered from going a goal down to come home with a 3-1 win.
It was a tremendous effort from Paul Doswell’s side, who were missing key players, and their reward is a home tie against Vanarama National League South outfit, Weymouth, in the second round qualifying on September 14th.
“We were given the toughest draw possible at this stage of the competition, away at Basingstoke Town,” Paul Doswell admitted to his club’s media. “But we went there and matched their energy and aggression.
“To go a goal down and then come back to score three is a fantastic effort from the boys.
“Goals change games in football and we scored a brilliant first goal, which saw us get on top and we tried to get the ball down and play when we could during the second half.
“Our hosts are a difficult side to play against, but it was a real collective effort from us; we needed everyone to be a seven or eight out of ten to get through this one and they were.
“It gives us a lot of impetus and confidence to take forward into the battles ahead. If we keep working hard and showing this kind of energy and passion, we will be okay.
“We had players missing but those who came in have really stepped up to the plate and done a great job.
“We have a home tie to look forward to now in the next round against higher level opponents, but we can think about that we have the small matter of an away League game at Merthyr Town to prepare for at the weekend.
“The fixtures certainly don’t get any easier for us!”
The draw for the Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying was made on Monday lunchtime and it sees Bishops Cleeve have a mouth-watering home tie with Torquay United, if they can first of all overcome Laverstock & Ford in their replay.
Willand Rovers have an away tie at Oxford City, whilst Wimborne Town play host to Weston super Mare in another encounter that really captures the imagination, as does Melksham Town’s home clash with Banbury United.
Heroes of the last round, Westbury United go to Plymouth Parkway, whilst AFC Dunstable’s reward for knocking out higher-level opponents is an away tie at League rivals, Biggleswade FC.
Other ties involving our clubs sees Winchester City host Hungerford Town, Harborough Town or Darlaston Town at home to Stourbridge, Spalding United or Matlock Town given home advantage against Alfreton Town and Redditch United facing a tricky away trip to Shifnal Town.
The winner of the Belper Town and Bromsgrove Sporting replay hosts Bottesford Town, whilst Barwell go to Buxton. Lowestoft Town will be at home to the winner of Newmarket Town or Ipswich Wanderers, as Bishop’s Stortford go to Hemel Hempstead Town.
Harpenden Town or St. Ives Town play host to Berkhamsted, a trip to Bowers & Pitsea awaits Biggleswade Town if they beat Harleston Town, similarly the winner of Royston Town and Bedford Town has to hit the road to Aveley.
There is a tough away assignment on the agenda for Leiston at Brentwood Town, whilst Sheppey United or Hanwell Town play host to Chertsey Town. Havant & Waterlooville go to Worthing, Hanworth Villa or Walton & Hersham will have home advantage against Farnborough and Swindon Supermarine or Poole Town will be at home against Taunton Town.
If Frome Town can beat Easington Sports, they will welcome Larkhall Athletic, whilst Premier South clubs, Gosport Borough and Gloucester City go head-to-head. Finally, there will be a good battle at Bath City as they take on Merthyr Town.
Ties will be played on the weekend of Saturday, September 14th.
IMAGE: DB Photography
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