FA Trophy round-up | Dramatic shootouts see Isthmian trio progress
Despite a busy weekend of league action across the football pyramid, there was still plenty of FA Trophy action to enjoy as eight Isthmian sides booked their place in the FA Trophy first qualifying round.
In Eastleigh, hosts AFC Stoneham held their nerve to clinch a 5-4 shootout win against Devon side Barnstaple Town after an enthralling cup tie ended 2-2.
The same score occurred at the Skyex Community Stadium as Jersey Bulls faced Hayes & Yeading United. In that preliminary round clash, it was Hayes & Yeading who completed a 4-1 shootout victory to advance.
Going 2-1 down with 12 minutes to play after a deflected effort sent United keeper Rhys Forster the wrong way, Jamie Tompkins’ side showed resilience to equalise two minutes later through a Brendan Matthew header and send it to spot-kicks.
Matthew was again on hand to score the winning penalty after Sammy Kamau and Jack Lumsden missed for Jersey Bulls.
Isthmian South East side Deal Town also won a shootout of their own in front of home support against Hartley & Wintney, triumphing 4-2 from the spot after their tie finished 1-1.
Elsewhere, South Park (Reigate) completed a 2-1 victory against Broadbridge Heath at Whitehall Lane thanks to goals from Bailee Cain and Ross Stepney.
Egham Town won the battle of two Isthmian South Central teams with a comfortable 3-0 away at Cobham.
Jordie Ebanda opened the scoring from the spot in the first half, before forward Harry Rice added a brace in the second to seal victory.
There was also a victory on the road for Mulbarton Wanderers, who defeated Felixstowe & Walton United 2-0 at The Martello Ground.
Owen Lane and Charlie Barber scored a goal apiece as the Isthmian North side booked a trip to Welwyn Garden City in the next round. That match will take place after the Citizens defeated Buckhurst Hill 1-0 on the road in the preliminary round.
A topsy-turvy affair at the Crest Stadium saw hosts Herne Bay come from two goals down to beat Harrow Borough.
After Jacob Lambert halved the deficit in the 53rd minute, striker Joe Taylor bagged a brace to complete the fightback.
The final game of the weekend witnessed a close battle between Merstham and Ashford Town (Middlesex) at Bourne Stadium.
Despite a double from Jack Arnold, the visitors suffered a 3-2 loss on Sunday afternoon. Gil Carvalho opened the scoring on 27 minutes and Tommy Bradford added a second 17 minutes later, before Matt Drage added a decisive third from the spot for Merstham.
Jamie Decruz’s side have been rewarded with a trip to Peacehaven & Telscombe in the next round.
The next round of the competition will take place on Saturday 29 August.
All results involving Isthmian League sides* are listed below:
Results - FA Trophy preliminary round
AFC Stoneham 2-2 Barnstaple Town (Stoneham win 5-4 on penalties)
Buckhurst Hill 0-1 Welwyn Garden City
Cobham 0-3 Egham Town
Deal Town 1-1 Hartley Town (Deal Town win 4-2 on penalties)
Felixstowe & Walton United 0-2 Mulbarton Wanderers
Herne Bay 3-2 Harrow Borough
Jersey Bulls 2-2 Hayes & Yeading United (Hayes & Yeading United win 4-1 on penalties)
Merstham 3-2 Ashford Town (Middlesex)
South Park (Reigate) 2-1 Broadbridge Heath
*Bold signifies Isthmian League team