After a good opening few minutes from the home side, who have only collected one point from their Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 campaign so far, Blue Cross began to attack in numbers and the only surprise was that it took them 34 minutes to open their account.

Ben Chambers, Blue Cross’s No.9 and a giant of a man, won everything in the air and his clever flick-on headers should have led to at least a couple of goals before Jones hit a crisp right-footer past Neil Tillcock to put the visitors 1-0 up.

This had the effect of stirring Cockfosters into a quick riposte and left-winger Steve Kessack, only a substitute in the original match, twice had shots cleared off the line after he had beaten the ‘keeper.

Blue Cross’s Jones, who hit the ball so cleanly, tested Tillcock with a free-kick that seemed to swerve both ways before the ball reached him. Then there was a sprinkling of yellow cards as Cockfosters battled to get back into this typically hard-fought FA Vase tie.

Play was much more even in this second half but the home side couldn’t make the breakthrough, with surging runs from Jon Moniatis and Tony Burke ultimately blocked by a multi-layered Blue Cross defence.

The killer blow came with ten minutes left as Blue Cross netted a second goal in controversial circumstances.

Cockfosters midfielder Tony Kennedy was tackled from behind near the halfway line and most of their players stopped, believing a free-kick was going to be awarded.

The referee waved play on and the ball was quickly aimed towards the far post for Joswiak to head powerfully into the roof of Tillcock’s net. Home defender Damien Thomas was red-carded for comments made to the official and the game was definitely up after that.

Wootton Blue Cross will now travel to Leverstock Green in the Second Qualifying Round on 25th September.

Last night was a big one for The FA Youth Cup, with 13 Preliminary Round ties being played up and down the country.

Seventy fans braved the chilly weather to see Dave Randall’s Bedford Town storm to an 8-0 home success against Sawbridgeworth Town. Draycott (5), McHerrin (2) and Mullholland notched the goals and six of them came in the first half. Tight matches at Epsom & Ewell, North Greenford United and Reading Town went to penalties.

FA Vase Result

First Round Qualifying

Cockfosters 0 Wooton Blue Cross 2

FA Youth Cup Results

Preliminary Round

Moor Green 2 Chasetown 1
Romford 2 Brentwood Town 1
Hoddesdon Town 5 Bishop’s Stortford 0
Brook House 3 Long Buckby 1
Cogenhoe United 5 Harlow Town 1
Ruislip Manor 1 Billericay Town 3
Marlow 0 Stotfold 5
Witham Town 3 Chelmsford City 1
Bedford Town 8 Sawbridgewoth Town 0
North Greenford United 2 Newport Pagnell Town 2 (NGU won 5-4 on pens)
Reading Town 3 Thatcham Town 3 (RT won 3-1 on pens)
Epsom & Ewell 2 Thamesmead Town 2 (E&E won 5-4 on pens)
Gloucester City 0 Weymouth 2.