Rocks make the Belmont a hard place for Whitstable, whilst Hanwell, Egham and Hastings kill giants!

By Ian Townsend

Our round up of the FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Bognor Regis Town have been in great form in the league so far this season, although might have been a little worried that they’d been unable to turn dominance into wins away from home, having drawn each game on their travels. Yesterday, however, they travelled to Whitstable Town in the FA Cup and prized open the home defence five times. Jimmy Muitt hit two in the first half- his fourth and fifth of the season- whilst Bradley Lethbridge (his fifth), Dan Smith (his seventh) and Mason Walsh made the match more than safe after the break.

Hastings United of the South East Division hosted Premier Division Kingstonian, and Daniel Ajakaiye came back to haunt his old manager Leigh Dynan as the U’s defeated the K’s 2-1, opening the scoring at Pilot Field. The K’s equalised three minutes later through Gogonas, but Christie then capped a crazy five minutes to make it 2-1 to the home side, and that’s how it stayed.

Egham Town will be delighted with new manager Ashley Smith this morning, after he masterminded a 1-0 defeat of neighbours Staines Town, a late goal from Kezie Ibe against one of his former clubs doing the damage, whilst Hanwell Town will also be celebrating after defeating Potters Bar Town 2-1 at Reynolds Field, Dean McDonnell and Calum Duffy striking for the Geordies whilst Dernell Wynter replied for the Bar Army.

AFC Hornchurch remained unbeaten and added Harrow Borough to their list of scalps, Brad Warner scoring the only goal against former rivals Harrow Borough, whilst AFC Sudbury came out on top in a five goal thrilled against Royston Town of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South Central. Callum Harrison gave the home side the lead from the spot only for Chris Assombalonga to cancel that out, but Joe Whight had put the home side ahead once more before the break. Vance Bola grabbed another equaliser, but Paul Hayes was able to win the game for Sudbury with twenty four minutes remaining.

Basildon United were at home to Peterborough Sports, who currently sit top of Southern Division One Central, and sadly went down 2-0, whilst Bowers & Pitsea ruined the 100% record of Takeley of the Essex Senior League, four goals from David Knight and another from Lewis Manor giving them a 5-1 victory.

Brentwood Town had their hearts broken in the last moments by Haringey Borough. Two-one up with two minutes remaining, Chinedu McKenzie and Carl Akinwande in the 88th and 90th minutes gave Borough a 3-2 win. Sam Carter and Ayrton Coley had scored the Blues goals, with Georgios Aresti replying for Haringey.

Burgess Hill Town must like playing Kentish sides, recording their second win of the season- and of the week- with a 1-0 win over Folkestone Invicta- Ben Pope with the goal- whilst Bury Town became slain giants, travelling to step six Burnham and losing 1-0.

Brightlingsea Regent won a seven goal thriller at Cambridge City by four goals to three, Matt Baxter, Jake Clowsley and Billy Hunt (2) their scorers, and Dorking Wanderers defeated Hartley Hare Wintney by two goals to nil, Matt Briggs and Tom Richards with those. FC Romania continued their recent fine form with a 4-0 win over Soham Town Rangers, including a Sergiu Pitaru hat trick with the fourth from Sergiu Maximov, whilst Worthing also continued to be upwardly mobile, defeating Faversham Town 3-1 with goals from Darren Budd, David Ajiboye and James Crane. Matt Bourne replied for Town.

Another Sussex side were also on the road, East Grinstead travelling to Fleet Town, and they won for the first time this season, George Landais and Jordy Mongoy scoring in a 2-1 victory, whilst Great Wakering Rovers defeated Wisbech Town 3-1, Stephen Butterworth, Ollie Woodhouse and Jack Renew with the goals after the away side had gone ahead.

Hayes & Yeading continued their fine form, defeating AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 at the Skyex, Lewis Toomey and Lee Barney finding the net, and Heybridge Swifts defeated Newmarket Town 2-0, Sam Bantick and Nicholas brown with the goals. Tooting & Mitcham United, defeated by Hayes last weekend, bounced back at Horsham YMCA to win 2-1, Lexus Beeden and Elijah Simpson securing victory.

Tonbridge Angels faced a difficult trip to Hythe Town, but came through comfortably 2-0, an Alex Reid double doing the damage. Leatherhead, with their three new signings immediately in the mix, defeated Herne Bay by the same scoreline, Shaun Okojie and Reece Deakin with the goals at Fetcham Grove, whilst Margate celebrated their signing of former Premier League striker Leroy Lita with a 3-2 win over Horndean- Frannie Collin and a Joe Taylor double doing the damage.

Whitehawk faced what looked like a tricky trip to Bognor’s neighbours Pagham, but goals from James Fraser and Ashley Mutongerwa gave them victory.

A number of our clubs will face midweek replays. Cheshunt were unlucky, drawing 2-2 with Leiston after Mark Hughes and Hafeez Sanusi had given them a two goal lead, whilst Chalfont St Peter drew 1-1 with Southern Division One Central Kempston Rovers, Frankie Jones with their goal. A second half goal from Tevan Allen gave Coggeshall Town a draw at home to Berkhampstead Town, whilst Horsham were held 1-1 by Corinthian of the SCEFL. Corinthian-Casuals and Whyteleafe both failed to find the net, as did Merstham and Cray Valley PM, and Northwood and Kings Langley.

Farnborough hosted the Rooks of Lewes, who earned the trip by scoring 8 against Molesey in midweek. They got two this time, through Nico Cotton and Lloyd Cotton, but conceded two as well and will be back at the Pan for another replay shortly.

Harlow Town renewed rivalries with Hendon and Christian Adu Gyamfi scored in a 1-1 draw, whilst Phoenix Sports twice went ahead against SCFL Lancing but were pegged back both times. Jeff Duah-Kessie and Danny Young got their goals.

Ramsgate (Aaron Milbank) and Sevenoaks Town (Robert Saunders) got one a-piece in their draw.

Now to the less-good news. Enfield Town were rather surprisingly walloped 3-0 by Bedford Town, seventh in Southern Division One Central, whilst Cray Wanderers put up a great fight at Met Police but eventually succumbed 3-2, Junior Dadson and Michael Power scoring for Wands.

Thamesmead Town went down 1-0 at Portsmouth’s Moneyfields, Sittingbourne lost by the same score at home to Gosport Borough, whilst Ware versus Lowestoft Town had a similar outcome. Bishop’s Stortford fell 2-1 at St Neots Town- Jake Cass with their goal- whilst Wingate & Finchley lost at home to Didcot Town by the same score despite a late Sean Cronin penalty.

Hertford Town went down 2-0 at Corby Town.

Today, Marlow travel to Aylesbury United of Southern Division One Central, whilst Romford entertain Kettering Town.

Where next?

Scenes from Isthmian History: Romford at Wembley The first of an occasional series sees Bostik League writer Ian Townsend thumb through his collection of memorabilia- and head back in time to a day when Romford made history

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