Tangerine Dreamland in a day of FA Cup success

It was FA Cup time again, and here's what happened in the Extra Preliminary Round.

AFC Varndeanians, who play in the Withdean Stadium, former home of Brighton & Hove Albion, welcomed Pitching In Isthmian South East Hythe Town. The Cannons had delivered a decent pre-season, and they took that form into the cup, winning by the only goal of the game. It came late, and it came to Jack Steventon, who made no mistake three minutes from time.

Abbey Rangers welcomed Hanworth Villa- again, as they were in the same Division last year, the hosts finishing fourth whilst the Villians won the Combined Counties Premier North title. Our visitors were much too strong for their hosts, Duncan Culley giving them a fourth minute lead, Jordan Ellis doubling the advantage midway through the first half, and Jared Myers making quite sure with a third just before the end.

Sheppey United travelled to take on Athletic Newham, from the Essex Senior League- and the match was called off due to “an unsafe pitch.” We’ll let you know what’s happening to this tie once we hear.

Brantham Athletic welcomed Basildon United. The hosts had lost their opening match last weekend, two-one, so were looking to bounce back at the Bees expense, and they did just that, winning three-nil. Jake Chaplin saw red for the visitors with twenty four minutes left, but they were already two down by then.

Chichester City welcomed Frimley Green of Combined Counties Premier South, and eased to a four-nil win, with two goals in each half. Eric-Georges Dellaud opened the scoring on eighteen minutes, and five minutes later Callum Overton made it two. The third came thirteen minutes from time, Ethan Pritchard with that one, before Ryan Pennery rounded things off nicely with a fourth just before the end.

Chipstead hosted SCEFL side Tunbridge Wells, and their irrepressible fans, who were given much to shout about in the second half. Michael Dixon put the Chips ahead, before a rather recognisable former Isthmian- Trevor McCreadie- formerly of Haywards Heath Town, Horsham, Lewes, Worthing, Hastings United, East Grinstead Town and Peacehaven and Telscombe United- popped up to knock the Pitching In Isthmian South Central side out, scoring twice.

Cobham played host to Tooting & Mitcham United. The hosts took Sevenoaks Town to a replay last season and defeated Three Bridges the season before, but they were no match for our Terrors, who put an inconsistent pre-season behind them by turning on the style once results became important! Shamal Edwards put them ahead eleven minutes before the break, Ayman Dandouh doubled the advantage straight after the restart, and Enoch Ako-Adjei made sure four minutes from time.

Image from Stuart Tree- and you can see the rest of his shots here.

Dunstable Town of the Spartan South Midlands League opened their account with a two-nil win over Potten United in midweek, and repeated that scoreline against our very own Great Wakering Rovers,
whilst East Grinstead Town entertained SCEFL side Hollands & Blair from Gillingham, the Wasps scoring the only goal of the game- Matt Daniel with it.

Enfield welcomed Hullbridge Sports. The hosts had started the season in fine form, winning three-nil against Sawbridgeworth Town in the Essex Senior League, and they got three more to end Sports cup hopes. Smith scored for Sports.

Faversham Town faced Colliers Wood United, the visitors having started the season in positive fashion with a three-two win over Balham in a Northern Line derby- and United scored the only goal of the game to sadly slay our ‘giant.’

Fisher welcomed Sutton Common Rovers, a game which will go to a replay as neither side managed to score; whilst new boys Gorleston welcomed Biggleswade United. The visitors started the season by winning two-nil against Arlesey Town, but they were swept aside in Lowestoft, Gorleston firing home four first half goals and keeping a clean sheet to start the season in impressive fashion. Robbie Lee Sweeney got two of them, Christy Finch and Connor Ingram the others.

Harpenden Town hosted another of our new Pitching In Isthmian North clubs, New Salamis, and although Junior Luke put the visitors ahead in the first half, two goals after the break saw our newboys left with the league to concentrate on.

It was much better news for Heybridge Swifts, however. They welcomed Clapton, and put them to the sword, winning four-nil. Andy Fennell and Ben Sartain scored in the first half, Fennell added another four minutes after the break, and Ross Wall got the fourth eight minutes from time.

Horley Town welcomed Sevenoaks Town to Surrey, having lost to our South Central side Sutton Common Rovers and defeated Merstham in pre-season. Oaks were magnificent, indeed rampant, firing home five without reply. Yahaya Bamba opened the scoring on five minutes, Kyle De Silva added another ten minutes before the break, and after the restart Daniel Hector made it three before Omari Hibbert got two more.

Horsham YMCA welcomed another Pitching In Isthmian South East side in Beckenham Town, and the visitors were two up inside of ten minutes, Mudiaga Wonogho and Louis Theophanous giving them a comfortable cushion. George Goodwin added a third, thirteen minutes from time.

Lakenheath welcomed Bury Town, and the Blues were quickly into their stride, walloping home four goals. Cemal Ramadan got the first two, Cruise Nydazayo added the third, and Max Maughn rounded things off seven minutes from time.

Littlehampton Town had familiar opponents, welcoming former SCFL rivals Broadbridge Heath to the seaside. Heath had had a fine start to the season, winning both matches so far and not yet conceding a goal, but in a tempestuous game- eight yellow cards- the Golds were too strong for their visitors, Lucas Pattenden, Aaron Capon and George Gaskin scoring before the visitors got a consolation from the spot.

London Colney avoided relegation from the Spartan South Midlands League only due to a reprieve last season, and they were overwhelmed by Witham Town. Adam Vyse got a hat trick, with Joesph Alatise adding two more in a five-nil hammering.

Tilbury were on the road to Milton Keynes Irish, and the Dockers left with a comfortable victory, Roman Campbell, Alex Clark (2) and Lewis Smith scoring in a four-two triumph.

Northwood and South Park (Reigate) needed no introduction. The Sparks did the double over the Woods last season and scored eight goals in the process, so the hosts were looking for revenge, and they got it, winning two-one. Josh Helmore put the Woods ahead on seventeen minutes, Mario Quiassaca got one back for the Sparks, but Ronan Hutchings got what proved to be the winner just before the break.

Saltdean United came close to winning promotion last season, but had lost both of their opening games so far. We still expected them to pose a threat to Ashford Town, but how wrong we were! The Tangerines didn’t take any time to enjoy the views of the South Downs or to breathe in the sea air, as they were intent on racking up the goals, scoring EIGHT without reply. It was only one-nil at half time, Ricky Johnson opening the scoring just before the break, but in thirty eight econd half minutes another seven were added. Johnson got two more to claim the match ball, Danyaal Iqbal got a couple, Lewis Flatman, David Pitt and Chad Goulter added the rest.

Southall welcomed Redhill, who finished sixth in Combined Counties Premier South last season, and the two will meet again after a goalless draw. Thatcham Town sadly won’t get another go, as they lost three-two against Wessex League side Horndean. Simeon Weekes thurty third minute opener was cancelled out before the break, and the visitors added two more before Cory Hathaway got another one for the Kingfishers in the last minute.

Three Bridges had familiar opponents in Whitstable Town. The last time Town travelled to Bridges, back in March, the hosts won three-one- and on this occasion Bridges scored three more, but also kept a clean sheet. Brannon O’Neill started the ball rolling in the thirteenth minute, and after both sides had seen a player dismissed just before the break the hosts made the most of the extra space, Noel Leighton and Kieron Pamment adding two more.

Walton & Hersham, highly fancied in the League this season, welcomed Kennington, who started their SCEFL campaign with a win last weekend. The two will have to meet again, after the Swans twice came from behind to earn a draw, with goals from Harry Mills and Eddie Simon.

Westfield welcomed Eastbourne United, and goals just before and just after the break saw them ease through. Troy Walters and Nathaniel Mensah found the back of the United net in a two-nil win.

Finally, Whitehawk welcomed K Sports, who lost their opening SCFL fixture four-one against Punjab United but were much more resolute in this one, earning a goalless draw.

Chatham Town travel to Little Common today, whilst Wroxham lost two-one to Dereham Town on Friday night, and you can read about that one here.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.