It was a night to remember for Flackwell Heath on Tuesday as they went to higher-level Bracknell Town and ran out commanding 3-0 winners in their Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying replay.
Brothers Jamie and Matty Ayres both got their names on the scoresheet, with a Ben Stallard strike in between putting their Premier South hosts to the sword.
The Pitching In Southern League Division One Central club now find themselves in the fourth round qualifying for the first time in 21 years, where an away trip to Maldon & Tiptree awaits.
“This was a massive win for everyone at the club,” delighted manager, Chris Ayres, told us. “I was so proud of the players who were able to back up Saturday’s performance with another great effort.
“The goals were brilliant and we defended heroically when we needed to. This is such a proud moment for me and everyone involved.
“We know the financial rewards for the club, which are so important to us, but beyond that, the players have the chance to make history a week on Saturday.
“Things have gone okay for us in the League so far. We’re still unbeaten after five games, with two wins and three draws, but there is a lot for us to do to play catch-up on points with the top five.
“This League is just as tough as it was last year, except this time around there isn’t a Real Bedford who were a class above everyone else, so on that basis, it’s a very open competition where everyone is more than capable of beating each other.
“We will continue to go about our business as quietly and efficiently as we can. Our aim is to finish as high up the table as possible and, course, get as far as we can in all of the cup competitions that we enter.
“If we can get anywhere near last season’s League finish, that would be amazing.”
The battle for League points continues on Saturday as they play host to Stotfold.
IMAGE: @charliecarter_0
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