Mixed fortunes in the FA Cup- but Swifts soar on!

There were mixed fortunes for our clubs in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round yesterday, but Jody Brown (pictured above) and his Heybridge Swifts side have soared into the FA Cup First Round for the fourth time in their history after defeating Haringey Borough- for whom manager Tom Loizou is pictured below receiving the Performance of the Month Award for September from Bostik League Chairman Nick Robinson- in the final qualifying round.

Swifts took a fortunate lead through a fourteenth minute own goal at Coles Park, and held onto it until the hour mark when Ralston Gabriel levelled. After that, however, it was one way traffic, as Sam Rantick put the away side ahead once more before a double from Luke Callander made the tie safe. Borough did manage a consolation two minutes from time, Ruaridh Kay reducing the gap, but it was Heybridge who progressed.

Billericay Town were a minute away from making it through to the next round when home side Brackley Town equalised to make it 3-3 and earn a replay in Essex this week, whilst Enfield Town also have a replay to look forward to, and can feel rather unfortunate as they were 2-1 ahead at National League Maidstone United as the match went into stoppage time, before Joe Piggot equalised for the home side.

Leatherhead came out on top on their Jolly Boys Outing to Margate, where all three goals came in the last fifteen minutes. Tanners manager Sammy Moore opened the deadlock with a twenty five yard beauty, before Jack Midson doubled the lead with five minutes left. There was time for Harry Stannard to pull a goal back, but not enough for an equaliser.

At the Green Elephants Stadium Burgess Hill Town took on Dartford for the third time in three years, and for the third time were unlucky losers as the National League South side took the spoils, 1-0. Folkestone Invicta lost by the same scoreline, at Slough Town.

Replays at Billericay Town and Enfield Town will take place on Tuesday night. The draw for the First Round will be live on BBC2 on Monday night, at 7PM.