And then there were seven!

Bedfont Sports went into last night’s tie with Canvey Island having already slain two giants, but found that they couldn’t quite do it against a side from their own level, as the Gulls headed back to Essex with a two-nil victory. Both goals came in the first half; Harrison Chatting putting the visitors ahead just before the half hour, and Michael Finneran doubling the lead on the stroke of half time.

We all have positive memories of Maldon and Tiptree’s cup heroics last season, and as they’d started this season in fine form once more we all had high hopes as they travelled to National League South Braintree Town- and we weren’t disappointed, as they won by the only goal of the game. It came fifteen minutes from time, and it went to Andre Hasanally.

Cray Wanderers had experienced a relatively new sensation in their last two matches- defeat, their first after an unbeaten run stretching back to January 1st. They looked odds on to make sure that poor run came to an end when Ben Mundele gave them an early lead at Bristol Manor Farm, and despite a quick equaliser for the hosts were three-one up by half time due to a Freddie Parker double, and were playing ten v ten after the hosts goalkeeper and goalscorer Mundele saw red. Farm coped far better with the handicap, however, and managed to pull two goals back to take the match to penalties- but the Wands held their nerve to win the spot kicks four-two. headline image shows the winning penalty and comes from hilligerpix.com

Bury Town welcomed Nuneaton Borough to Ram Meadow having won every match they’d played this season- and that record continued against the Pitching In Southern Premier Central, side, as our boys in blue won two-nil. Both goals arrived within four minutes of each other, Cemal Ramadan and Ollie Hughes setting up a fairly comfortable second half with goals after thirty three and thirty seven minutes.

Cambridge City’s prize for defeating Cheshunt was the arrival of Halesowen Town of Pitching In Southern Central Division One, and they may have an even bigger prize in prospect after winning the match two-nil. An early goal from Mikey Davis settled their nerves, and Jarid Robson made sure six minutes after the restart.

Chichester City hosted our former favourites- and these days National League South side- Tonbridge Angels. Sadly it was a step too far for the team in green, as Angels left with a narrow two-one victory. Kaleem Haitham scored the goal for the hosts.

Cray Valley PM and Aveley met at The Artic Stadium, both having had strong starts to the season. It was the home Millers rather than the away Millers who came off best, two goals from Ade Yusuff- one at the start of the second half and another at the end of it- sealing victory.

Hornchurch, who have had injuries galore this season, travelled to face Hampton and Richmond Borough at the Beveree. The Urchins came within four minutes of a giantkilling, Chris Dickson cancelling out an early opener for the Beavers and then, ten minutes after the break, Ellis Brown giving them the lead- but former Hendon striker Niko Muir grabbed an equaliser four minutes from time, and the hosts won the shootout four-three.

Haringey Borough welcomed Bracknell Town to Coles Park, and given the way both had started the season we expected goals. We perhaps didn’t expect six of them, and we certainly didn’t expect five of the six to go to Borough, who saw Rakim Richards, Alfred Bawling, Georgios Aresti, Jorge Djassi-Sambu and Daniel Akindayini breach the Robins back line. George Knight had got one back for the visitors to make it two-one, but that seemed to just provoke the hosts.

Barking travelled to Hartley Wintney of Pitching In Southern Premier South, and gave them a fright with a first half goal from Isaac Westendorf, but an own goal drew the hosts level after the break and by the hour they were three one up, and closed out the game.

Chipstead travelled to another Southern Premier South side, Hayes & Yeading United. Hayes defeated Bognor Regis Town five-nil in the last round, but the Chips weren’t going to roll over and took them all the way to penalties after a goalless ninety minutes, but sadly lost the shootout four-two.

Finally, Whyteleafe played host to FA Trophy finalists Concord Rangers, and gave them a scare when Ryan Gondoh got his seventh of the season in just the second minute. Sadly a goal four minutes before the break drew the Canvey Island side level, and one from Sam Blackman- who you’ll remember from his time with Margate, Hythe Town and Leatherhead- gave them victory.

Bishop's Stortford host Royston Town of the Pitching In Southern Premier Central this evening. The Blues are unbeaten, their visitors have lost only once (but have drawn four of their five matches in the League). It could be close!