Giantkillers Ahoy!

Bracknell Town and Felixstowe and Walton United had the biggest tests in the FA Trophy last night, as they travelled to Step Three opposition, and both came out on top- at Salisbury and Leatherhead respectively.

The Robins had swept (almost) all before them this season, their only defeat coming against Haringey Borough in the FA Cup, but Steve Claridge’s Salisbury looked a different proposition, in third place and unbeaten in Pitching In Southern Premier South and having scored sixteen goals in their last four matches. They weren’t going to add to that total, however, as Town’s superb defence silenced the home crowd and at the other end Scott Rees grabbed the only goal of the game, sending them into today’s Second (and Third) Round draws.

Felixstowe and Walton United defeated a Surrey based Step Three side- Metropolitan Police- in the last round, which must have given them confidence as they travelled to face Leatherhead. Another superb defensive performance saw them keep the Tanners at bay in the first half, and then eleven minutes after the break, Ollie Canfer- it always seems to be Ollie Canfer- conjured up the only goal of the match. Another game, another giant slain, and perhaps the chance to do the same again in the Second Round. Headline image from the Seasiders social media feed.

At Parkside our Trophy kings of last year, Aveley, welcomed Pitching In Isthmian South East leaders Hastings United. Hastings had only lost one match all season, and that on penalties to National League side Ebbsfleet United, but now it’s two as the Millers delivered our third one-nil win in a row, but the first that came to a home side. Mitchell Gilbey got the only goal of the game twelve minutes after the break.

Carshalton Athletic went into their match with Barking having won every home match in every competition so far this season- and that continued as they recorded a comfortable three-nil victory. Harry Ottaway after twenty seven minutes, Bobby Price eight minutes after the break and Lewis White right at the end made the difference.

We had an all-Isthmian Premier tie at Coles Park, as Haringey Borough hosted Bishop’s Stortford- and Borough became the first side to defeat the Blues in open play this season. Archie Jones put the visitors ahead just before the break, but the hosts weren’t daunted and equalised on the hour before grabbing victory in the very last minute. Jamie- Lee O'Donoghue and Anthony McDonald got the goals.

We had another all Pitching In Isthmian Premier battle at Hornchurch, where the Urchins hosted Wingate and Finchley. The hosts ran out comfortable winners, by four goals to one, their goals coming from Ollie Muldoon, Charlie Ruff, Sam Higgins and Liam Nash, whilst Tommy Tejan-Sie got an equaliser for the Blues but parity didn’t last long. Image courtesy of Stadium Photography- see more here.

Cheshunt have had a fine start to the season, and Craig Edwards’ Ambers continued it as they travelled to Lowestoft Town. Second in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier League and three games unbeaten, they made it four with a comfortable victory over the Trawlerboys, Anderson Pinto (2) and Mo Camara with a third as they kept a clean sheet.

Marlow hosted Nuneaten Borough after winning four out of their last five, but couldn’t continue that run against the Pitching In Southern Premier Central side. Borough got four- including one from a famous name, Leroy Lita- and although Marlow did manage a consolation through James Clark that was all it was. Black and white image courtesy of Lewes FC Chair Stuart Fuller- see more of them here.

Bognor Regis Town travelled to face Thame United, sixteenth in Pitching In Southern Division One Central. The Rocks had five victories and one defeat from their last six matches in all competitions, and were in fine form, so it was perhaps no surprise that they were three up by the break- Bradley Lethbridge, Ashton Leigh and Jordy Mongoy with the goals. The hosts then shocked their visitors by pulling two back, but Bognor clicked into gear once more and got two more to run out five-two winners, Lethbridge with his second of the night, Joe Cook with the other.

Finally, Pitching In Isthmian South Central side Uxbridge hosted Premier Division opposition, as Cray Wanderers arrived at Honeycroft. The Wands had been scoring goals for fun of late, six against Merstham and three against Whitehawk and Haringey Borough, and managed another three last night in a match which was closer than the result might suggest. Mahlondo Martin put the hosts ahead early on, but two from Joe Taylor and one from Jason Banton sealed progression for the Wands.

We’ve another big game tonight, as Enfield Town host Maldon and Tiptree. The Towners, third in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier table, are formidable at home- winning every match so far and sticking eight past Step Four opposition- Ramsgate- in the last round- but tonight’s Step four opposition are formidable themselves, Maldon & Tiptree arriving at the end of Donkey Lane. The Jammers have lost only one match this season, and that against Morecambe in the FA Cup- but by one of those twists of fate this is the second season in a row they’ve made an identical trip in the FA Trophy, and in 2019-20 they were also unbeaten in League and Trophy as they arrived at Enfield- but left with that first defeat after a seven goal thriller which the Towners won four-three. Time for revenge? The travelling Essex faithful will be confident.