The Isuzu FA Trophy

Trophy taking shape after second round qualifying replays

Wednesday 18 Nov 2015

Ben Rhodes hit his first goal for Stocksbridge Park Steels in a 3-2 win over Ilkeston to decide their FA Trophy second round qualifying replay.

Richard Patterson opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a header that deflected past Brazilian-born goalkeeper Evandro Rachoni.

The FA Trophy

Second Round Qualifying
Tuesday 17 November 2015
Winners receive £3250 from prize fund
By Josh Richards
Click here for results

Rhodes then doubled the lead with a low drive from outside the box, but the Robins pulled one back when JJ Blake latched on to Lee Ndlovu’s pass and slotted home.

But Steels restored their two-goal cushion before the interval when captain Liam McFayden headed in from close range.

Ilkeston were handed a way back into the game when defender Matt Reay inadvertently headed into his own net, but despite heavy pressure from the Robins they fell to their first defeat under boss Andy Watson.

Elsewhere, Hastings United fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Merthyr Town after Sam Crabb’s own goal at the death. The visitors took the lead on 30 minutes when Corey Jenkins fired in after Ian Traylor’s initial header was blocked.

Hastings then levelled on 72 minutes when Sean Ray headed in Ollie Rowe’s cross, but Crabb glanched a header into his own net in the closing stages as Merthyr advanced.

Bury Town also advanced after beating Herne Bay on penalties, after Liam Quinn had put Herne Bay in front on 14 minutes only for Matthew Collins to level things up soon after the restart.

The home side looked to have an uphill task when Gary Sayer was sent off with 23 minutes remaining of normal time and so it proved as Bury triumphed from the spot.

On Monday night, Hitchin Town beat Haringey Borough 3-0 with two goals from Brett Donnelly and a fine effort from Kane Smith.

Kingstonian join them in the next round following their 2-1 defeat of Dorchester Town, Dan Bennett scoring twice after Neil Martin’s opener for the visitors.

By FA Staff