FA Cup Third Qualifying Round matches involving Blue Square North and South clubs....
Bristol Rovers` loanee Neikell Plummer was Zamaretto League Division One South & West side Paulton Rovers` hero as he scored the only goal of the game at home against Blue Square South high-flyers Newport County after just 6 minutes to cause arguably the biggest `upset` of the Third Qualifying Round on Saturday.
Mustapha Tiryaki have Blue Square South Havant & Waterlooville a 20th minute lead at Westleigh Park against Zamaretto Premier visitors Chippenham Town.
Ben Highmore equalised after 35 minutes and then Lewis Powell won it for the lower league side with only 5 minutes remaining.
Local pride was shared in the day’s early kick-off between fierce Derbyshire Blue Square North rivals Ilkeston Town and Eastwood Town.
Neither team was able to find the crucial breakthrough in a frenetic finish to an entertaining tie at the New Manor Ground.
Amari Morgan Smith’s penalty 20 minutes from time equalised Emeka Nwadike 21st minute opener for Eastwood, in a match that saw both teams reduced to ten-men.
Just three miles separate the two sides, and with both teams having made strong starts to their Conference North campaigns it was always likely a replay may be required.
But after taking the lead and playing much of the match with a numerical advantage, Eastwood manager Paul Cox was still frustrated not to have claimed victory.
“We were disappointed not to get the win after playing eleven against ten for a large period, but the game was finely balanced and a draw is definitely a good result,” he insisted.
Cox thought his side had clinched victory 10 minutes from time, only to see their possible winner chalked off by the referee.
“We got our passing game going after the break and had a perfectly good goal disallowed in my opinion,” he said.
“I didn’t agree with the linesman’s decision to put his flag up for offside and it was disappointing, as I think the game would have been sewn up at 2-0.”
Fears of crowd trouble led local police to insist on a midday kick-off at the New Manor Ground but fortunately these worries proved unfounded on the day.
“There was a really good atmosphere, contrary to the negative publicity in the local press,” reported Cox.
“I think the troublemakers stayed away, and despite the early kick-off, I think both sets of supporters enjoyed themselves.”
Fans of both sides will not have to wait long for another chance to show their support, with the replay taking place on Tuesday night at Coronation Park.
“We still have to earn the right to take our place in the next round and it won’t be easy,” warned Cox.
“We have a fantastic home record, but Ilkeston also have a good away record - it’s going to be very evenly balanced again.”
Blue Square North lost Gainsborough Trinity and Hyde United, who were a round behind and beaten 1-0 at UniBond Division One North bottom-markers Salford City.
A single goal from Justin Marsden in the 34th minute was enough to see Zamaretto Premier Division Nuneaton Town progress at Trinity`s expense, while the Tigers went out 1-0 at Salford in their Second Qualifying Round replay. Salford now face another Blue Square North outfit, Blyth Spartans.
There were comfortable wins for Blue Square North sides Northwich Victoria, Hinckley United and Workington.
Mark Danks netted a hat trick as Vics beat UniBond Division One North side Chorley 4-1 at home, while Adam Webster did likewise for the Knitters in a 5-0 romp at Zamaretto Premier Cambridge City`s Milton Road.
Workington, meanwhile, were 3-0 Borough Park winners over UniBond Division One North outfit Radcliffe Borough with goals from Gareth Arnison, John Hardman and Jonny Wright.
Blue Square South side Thurrock reached the next round after a comfortable home victory over Ryman League Division One North side Potters Bar Town.
The home side were on top early on and nearly took the lead after 19 minutes when Leon McKenzie’s volley was cleared off of the line by Dan Adamo after Fola Orinolishe’s deep cross.
McKenzie was not to be denied and he gave Thurrock the lead 4 minutes later when he volleyed in from Leon Lalite’s cross.
Thurrock were dominant but amazingly Potters Bar equalised on the half-hour mark when Ellis Remy scored an excellent free kick.
Thurrock pressed again and David Bryant missed a header and had a left foot shot saved before he scored on 43 minutes after an excellent turn and low shot.
Halfway through the second half Thurrock went a long way to securing the win when Matt Bodkin scored a free kick from the corner of the area.
McKenzie then saw a header well saved by Willis and with 5 minutes to go Matt Judge scored a penalty on his home debut to make it four.
Shayne Wyllie scored a late consolation for Potters Bar after a mistake by Paul Olima but it was Thurrock’s day.
Other Blue Square South sides through were Bath City, comfortable 4-1 winners at Zamaretto Division One South & West Bishops Cleeve with both Darren Edwards and Mark Badman bagging braces, Dover Athletic, who won the Kent derby against league rivals Welling United 2-0 with second half goals from Olly Schultz and Jon Wallis, while another Kent derby was won by Bromley, 2-0 at Longmead against Ryman Premier Tonbridge Angels.
