The FA Youth Cup in partnership with Pepsi
Third Round Qualifying
Wednesday 26 October 2005

The 54th FA Youth Cup competition has reached its Third Round Qualifying stage, with most ties being played this week.

Wealdstone, whose senior side plays in the Ryman League's Premier Division, won through to the Third Round Proper last season and had the thrill of playing Liverpool at Anfield.

The Stones youngsters have already accounted for Sawbridgeworth Town (4-0), Banbury United (6-1) and Hendon (2-1) in the current campaign and, after edging Ely City 3-2 at Ruislip last night, look set for another good run.

There was no score at half-time, although Stones had started to dominate through Douglas Kisuule's excellent promptings from midfield. It came as a surprise when the Cambridgeshire visitors nosed in front three minutes into the second period. The fleet-footed Steven Spriggs, who had looked as though he could cause some damage, finally got a clear run in on goal and finished with a good shot into the corner.

Shaken-up Stones looked desperate for a few minutes before Greg Shaw came on for Omisore and made an immediate impact. Cutting in from the left on 58 minutes he hit a low right-footer that beat the 'keeper at the near post. Then the home side struck the woodwork twice in quick succession as they poured forward for the winner.

Brian Green's deflected effort made it 2-1 on 78 minutes and Kisuule looked to have made the result safe after turning Jamie Jack's short centre over the line with five minutes left.

But this was a game with a twist in the tale as Spriggs converted a last-minute penalty for 3-2 and in the last moments of six minutes' added time Ely nearly forced the ball in from a corner. 'Keeper Michael Lavender plunged bravely into the flying boots and grabbed the ball to ensure that Stones will play Folkestone at home.

Sutton United also booked their place in Round One with a comfortable 5-1 win against Mile Oak from near Brighton at Gander Green Lane last night.

Luke Adams, Zak Graham (two), Connor Self and Marc Cross were on target for the U's and they will now visit the winners of Sunday's tie between Barking and Bury.

On the previous evening Billy Marshall had contributed a hat-trick in Woking's crushing 9-3 victory over Corinthian Casuals.

46 League clubs enter the fray at the First Round Proper stage, with ties being played by 12 November, as the competition really gets into gear.