Rocester endured enough drama to last a lifetime as they booked their place in the Buildbase FA Vase Second Round Qualifying with victory in an unforgettable 13-goal thriller.
The Midland League Premier Division outfit thought they had snatched a 4-3 victory at Nuneaton Griff on Friday night, only for the hosts to snatch a last-gasp equaliser to force extra-time.
The thrills and spills didn’t end there however as the contest saw a further four more goals scored, with the Romans running out 8-5 winners.
Matt Brennan gave the hosts and early lead but Oli Roome pounced twice to turn the tie on its head before half-time.
Griff’s Brennan made it 2-2 with a stunning long-range effort before a Martin Smyth free-kick and Rob Ritchie-Smith put the Romans in control at 4-2.
But back came the hosts, with Lee Hewitt reducing the deficit before Matt Lamb poked home an 88th-minute leveller to force extra-time.
Perhaps spurred on by seeing their lead extinguished, Rocester let loose once play resumed once again, Richie-Smith, Roome, who completed his hat-trick and another Smyth free-kick making it 7-4.
Four minutes into the second period of added time, Hewitt struck again for Griff but the last word went to the Romans, Smyth following Roome’s lead in bagging himself a treble.
There were more goal-laden ties elsewhere on Saturday, with Ampthill Town, of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One, hammering New College Swindon 10-0 on the road.
Brad Clarke and Sam Holmes led the way for the Bedfordshire visitors as they ran riot in the south west.
Charnock Richard were 7-1 winners at Selby Town while 1874 Northwich had enough in the tank to edge out Vauxhall Motors 5-4.
Belper United also sailed into Second Round Qualifying in style, recording a 6-0 triumph at Radcliffe Olympic, while in Devon, Bristol outfit Cribbs won 9-1 away at Witheridge.
Redbridge, of the Essex Senior League, thumped Brantham Athletic 6-1.
