Buxton 2-1 Tipton Town
Saffron Walden 1-1 Hitchin Town aet
(Hitchin won 4-1 on penalties)
Bishop's Cleeve 5-1 Bishop Sutton
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Qualifying Replays
Wednesday 19 September 2006

 

Still a long way to go before holders Liverpool enter The FA Cup at the Third Round stage, but that has not stopped the magic of The Cup casting a spell over the clubs competing in Wednesday night's First Round Qualifying replays.

It is all relative, of course, but so many unexpected supporters turned up (158 to be precise) to see Bishop's Cleeve score five goals in their replay against Bishop Sutton that Club Secretary Phil Tustain had to spend most of the match helping behind the bar.

"We've had bigger crowds, but the excitement generated by the FA Cup caught us a bit by surprise," admitted a delighted Tustain.

But that is the reality for a British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 Midland side, enjoying another memorable season already.

Their 5-1 fantastic win has now earned them a Second Qualifying Round clash with Oxford City, who are within three points of the top of the Southern League Division One.

Oxford City were once managed by Bobby Moore with Harry Redknapp as his assistant and Tustain believes his players can give them a good match when they host them on 30 September.

He said: "We have never played them, but know they are a good side from a good division. If we are all fit and play to our potential then I see no reason why we can't win again."

Bishop's Cleeve left their opponents reeling early on when the club's leading scorer Kevin Slack, shot them into a 15th minute lead. Mike Rhodes made it two-nil before half-time and there were second half goals from Nick Williams, substitute John Hills and Dan Avery, in the 90th minute.

"I would like to tell you more about the goals, but I was working hard behind the bar," Tustain said.

Elsewhere, Saffron Walden Town's Cup run came to and end in front of more than 500 spectators when they lost 4-1 on penalties to visitors Hitchin Town, after the replay ended 1-1 (both goals also coming from penalties) after extra-time.

Southern League Premier Division Hitchin now face Nationwide Conference South Bognor Regis Town in the next round.

Hitchin have mixed memories of Bognor Regis in the competition - they beat them on their way to the Second Round proper in 1973-74, but lost to them at home in 1997-98.

There were also almost 500 in attendance to see Buxton secure a home tie with Woodford United thanks to a 2-1 replay win over Tipton Town.