Two more giants slain- and there could yet be a third!

Bostik League supporters have been treated to a large collection of cup giant killing this season, and yesterday’s FA Trophy First Round didn’t disappoint, with Billericay Town and Hendon taking notable scalps, Heybridge Swifts managing yet another away draw at a higher league side, and Haringey Borough falling to a late Leyton Orient winner after scaring the life out of the former Football League side. Wingate and Finchley also put up a fight before falling 1-0 at Wealdstone.

Billericay Town took their goals-scored tally to 106- and Jake Robinson took his personal tally to 33- as they defeated last season’s Premier Division champions Havant & Waterlooville 3-1. Just under six years ago the Hawks Matt Tubbs was scoring the winner as Crawley Town advanced to the FA Cup Fifth Round by beating Championship side Hull City, and yesterday he managed another away goal but it was no more than a consolation as The Blues marched on to the Second Round of the FA Trophy.

Hendon are having a wonderful season, and yesterday confirmed their best FA trophy run in more than a decade after defeating National League South Bath City- conquerors of Margate in the last round- 2-1 at Silver Jubilee Park. Arthur Lee put the Greens ahead, Tom Smith levelled the tie, but up popped Keagan Cole to send the green hordes home happy.

Heybridge Swifts have managed three away draws at higher league opposition so far this season- and as Met Police, Tonbridge Angels and Kingstonian could tell you, that didn’t end well for them. Hampton and Richmond Borough will now have to tread the path to the Aspen Waite Arena after yesterday’s 1-1 draw, and they should be afraid- very afraid!

Haringey Borough put up a magnificent show at home to Leyton Orient yesterday in front of more than a thousand supporters- and you can read about that in detail here- whilst Wingate and Finchley travelled to The Vale and fell to an unlucky 1-0 defeat against Wealdstone.

Leaving the Trophy to one side, we had a comprehensive programme of league action, and Dulwich Hamlet extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division to three points- although Billericay Town ominously have five games in hand. Hamlet were held at Longmead yesterday, Joe Turner equalising for Tonbridge Angels after Nyren Clunis had given the pink and blue army something to cheer about. Leiston were the days big winners, firing home five goals at Harrow Borough through four different scorers- although including a double from Christy Finch- as they moved up to fourth.

Third place Staines Town were held to a 2-2 draw on the Essex coast, Brighlingsea Regent recovering from being two goals down at half time to snatch a last gasp draw. Aaron Condon scored the leveller, before being immediately sent off- apparently for his celebration, although the vidiprinter shows him as receiving the red card before actually scoring the goal! At the bottom Harlow Town and Tooting & Mitcham United took advantage of Worthing’s blank weekend by opening up a gap between them and the Rebels, Harlow coming out on top in a five goal thriller against Folkestone Invicta whilst the Terrors walloped four home goals against Thurrock, conceding only one in reply- and that in the very last minute. Needham Market slip to second bottom despite earning a home draw against Metropolitan Police, a returning John Sands with their goal.

In the other matches Enfield Town won a five goal thriller at home to Dorking Wanderers despite going into the half time break behind, whilst Burgess Hill and Merstham played out a goalless draw at the Green Elephants Stadium.

Dropping into the North Division, AFC Hornchurch are five points clear after a 3-1 win over Cheshunt, whilst Bowers & Pitsea are second, demolishing Barking’s recent good form by four goals to nil at the Len Salmon, Lewis Manor with the first and the last. Canvey Island slipped to a shock defeat away at Norwich United, Liam Jackson walloping all four goals at Plantation Park to put his side 4-0 up before George Syskes made the scoreline look respectable with two last gasp goals, whilst Witham Town were the other big winners, defeating AFC Sudbury 4-0.

In the South Division leaders Lewes lost, 2-0 at Ramsgate, but both Corinthian Casuals and Carshalton Athletic failed to take advantage, losing at home to VCD Athletic and Herne Bay respectively. Cray Wanderers took the chance to move up into second place, one point behind the Rooks, with a 2-0 victory at Whyteleafe- Michael Frieter and Michael Power with their goals. Greenwich Borough moved emphatically back into the top six, firing five goals past previously good travellers Sittingbourne despite the Brickies going into the break level. Jack Barham got a brace in the 5-1 victory.

Walton Casuals travelled to Guernsey and flew home with three points after a 3-1 victory, Hythe Town are seventh after a 2-1 home win over Molesey, whilst East Grinstead Town came from two goals behind to earn a 3-3 draw at home to Thamesmead Town.