Stoneham slay giants!

In our FA Cup Replays, AFC Stoneham welcomed Pitching in Southern Premier side Basingstoke Town, after the sides failed to score on Saturday. Stoneham have managed four victories so far this season in Cup competitions, and they went ahead in this one just before the half hour, Tyrrell Sampson scrambling the ball home after a corner was recycled. As it turned out, that was the only goal- giant, slain!

Premier Division Brentwood Town were back at home, Concord Rangers making the trip after neither side could score at the weekend. Town were five without a win and hoped to end that run, whilst the Beachboys have had a fantastic start, unbeaten in seven matches in League and Cups, and were eyeing a second chance of a giant killing.

The top flight side made the breakthrough just after the half hour, a corner tapped home by Ansu Janneh at the back post, and they doubled their lead early in the second half, Cameron Forde-Browne firing home a free kick- the wall jumping and the ball going underneath. The Beachboys didn’t let their heads drop, and quickly saw Kai Torres pull a goal back, but the hosts went straight up the other end and restored their two goal cushion, Malachi Linton ensuring that they could relax just a little- but perhaps they relaxed too much, as Charlie Wardle almost immediately brought it back to three-two! Finally Brentwood’s nerves were settled as Bradley Sach made it four-two deep in added time, and that was how it ended.

Pitching In Isthmian North newboys Buckhurst Hill and Yaxley drew one-one at the weekend, but this time someone had to win. Both sides were in mixed form, but first blood went to Hill, Arthur Massingham firing them in front on eighteen minutes. They struck second, too, Callum Maltese making it two-nil eleven minutes from time, and just before the end Ollie Fernandez made it three to round off a fine victory.

Dartford saw Westfield make the return trip around the M25 after a one-one draw on Saturday. The Darts were made to fight hard for their replay, and they looked to make their second chance count when Max Fiddes put them ahead on the quarter hour, player/boss Ben Greenhalgh with the cross. Dan Smith was introduced for the hosts just after the hour and immediately scored their second goal, and that was where the scoring stopped.

Fakenham Town were at home to Ware, the sides hoping to deliver more entertainment after an exciting three-three draw on Saturday. Sadly for the hosts it was Ware who broke the deadlock on thirty four minutes, and they added a second just before the break to leave Town with a mountain to climb. That mountain looked bigger still when the visitors made it three from a free kick midway through the second half, but Charlie Mayhew soon gave the hosts hope by pulling a goal back. It turned out to be a forlorn hope, and three-one was the final score.

Wingate and Finchley made there rather lengthy midweek trip to take on North opponents, Felixstowe and Walton United, the sides without a goal in their first ninety minutes at the weekend. The opening goal perhaps should have arrived on seventeen minutes, but a penalty for the Premier side was saved by the Seasiders Harry Wright. Early in the second half we had another spot kick, this one to the hosts, but we had a similar outcome, Charlie Grainger proving that whatever Wright could do, he could do too.

Soon we had a goal, and it went to the top flight side, Ashley Nzala firing a cross into the roof of the net. Nzala struck again thirteen minutes from time, and the visitors held on- banana skin avoided!

St Albans City renewed acquaintances with Hashtag United, heading to Redbridge to try again to get the better of the high-flying Tags. The match finally got a goal ten minutes into the second half, and it went to the Saints, Inih Effiong heading home- and they added a second eleven minutes from time, Mikey Faulkner with that one. That was that- the Saints marching on.

Jersey Bulls replay with Burgess Hill Town was postponed due to air traffic control issues.

Grays Athletic had another go at becoming a giantkiller as they travelled to face Pitching In Southern Central side Leiston- but their chances departed in a first half that ended with them three goals behind. It was five-nil by the end, Athletic departing the competition.

We’d an all-North tie as Canvey Island travelled to Newmarket Town, this replay the second of three meetings between the sides this month. It looked to be heading towards penalties, but instead Ross Wall had other ideas, putting the Gulls ahead with the first goal of the game eight minutes from time- and they held on to reach the next round.

Ascot United travelled down to Sussex to take on Step Five SCFL side Pagham, and certainly didn’t enjoy the first half, as they were two-nil down at the break. The second half brought improvement for the Yellas but no goals, and they depart the competition as a result. Pagham haven’t lost since the opening day.

South East Faversham Town travelled to take on Premier Welling United in a Kentish derby. The Lilywhites came into the game unbeaten in eight matches- but they needed a late equaliser to get a second bite of this particular cherry, and Wings were certainly the favourites to get the job done. United made the breakthrough six minutes before half time, Demaray Anyadike curling an effort into the bottom left corner, but the visitors drew level just after the hour, Tommie Fagg converting a corner. Into added time we went with the scores level, and then, penalty- the hosts the beneficiaries of the referee’s decision. Goal! Ryan Kingsland put it away, and Welling progress.

Back in Pitching In Isthmian North we were left with only one fixture due to Cup Replays, and Gorleston quickly took the lead in Little Oakley, Travis Cole taking only three minutes to strike. The hosts hit back half an hour later, Josh McFaull drawing them level, and they went ahead with twenty two minutes remaining, Daniel Keeble making it two-one- but it was a lead they held for only two minutes, Aaron Bullent quickly levelling. The scoring finally stopped there, and Gorleston ended the day in fifth, Oakley in seventh.

In the Velocity Cup, Erith Town hoped to bounce back from Saturday’s FA Cup defeat as they welcomed Croydon Athletic- also defeated at the weekend. It was the Rams who struck first, Cian McCarthy with the opener on the quarter hour, but the visitors were ahead only two minutes before Jefferson Aibangbee levelled for the Dockers.

The hosts went ahead eight minutes into the second half, Deven Reid-Solanki completing the turnaround, but Brandon Pierrick set up a grandstand finish with an equaliser for the visitors eight minutes from time. Erith were not to be thwarted, however, and James Dyer delivered a late winner with only two minutes left.

Ashford Town hosted South Central rivals Hendon, and were far too welcoming, Sam Shaban putting the visitors ahead in the first minute and Nathan Braithwaite adding another four minutes later. The Tangerines then got going, and they halved the deficit four minutes before half time, Ben Mulley delighting the home faithful, but just before the hour Hendon added a third, Braithwaite once more. If that made Hendon feel comfortable, they felt anything but when Jaiden Charles quickly brought it back to two-three, but despite some stout home pressure the visitors held on for victory. Our image is from D Beech Photography.  

Egham Town welcomed AFC Portchester, and the visitors went ahead on twenty minutes, a deflected shot from Charlie Williamson pounced upon by Alfie Stanley, who made no mistake. Stanley had a second five minutes before half time, this one from the spot, but early in the second half the Sarnies were back in it, Ben Peden getting a goal back. They couldn’t find another, however- and the Royals progress.