Brackley stun Gillingham to set up FA Cup upset in replay

Monday 18 Nov 2013
Glenn Walker celebrates scoring the winner over Gillingham for Brackley.

Conference North side Brackley Town are through to The FA Cup Second Round for the first time in their 123-year history after beating League One Gillingham.

Winger Glenn Walker's 20-yard strike after 21 minutes won the match against a side currently 63 places above them in the football pyramid and secured a trip to Macclesfield Town.

Though Gillingham dominated large spells of the match, hitting the woodwork twice. and were repeatedly denied by stand-in Brackley keeper Alastair Worboys.

The Gills forced the replay with a 90th-minute equaliser when the teams first met, but this time they could not deny their non-League opponents a famous giant-killing victory.

Goalscorer Walker said: “I’m not sure if the ball took a bit of a deflection or moved in the air, but I will take it.

“It was a real team effort because for a lot of time we didn’t have the ball and we had to dig deep.

“We were determined not to miss out after what happened in the first game. It’s the greatest night for this club and the whole town has got behind us.”

Manager John Brady added: “It is a special night. We worked very hard and rode our luck at times, but the players showed courage and belief.

“Gillingham had their chances but they didn’t take them and we rode our luck. I can’t ask for any more from our players.”

Brackley will travel to Macclesfield in the next round on Saturday 7 December.

By FA Staff