Dunston, Bideford and Pagham all fight back in replays

Wednesday 24 Aug 2016
The Emirates FA Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium

On another night of high drama in The Emirates FA Cup, Dunston UTS completed a last-gasp turnaround at Penrith AFC to book their spot in the first round qualifying.

It was a late, late deflected goal for Liam Thear that sealed the 2-1 victory, as his effort from outside the area ricocheted off a defender and into the bottom right-hand corner to send the Fed into raptures.

Penrith had made the perfect start as they scored just after kick-off when Martyn Coleman drilled a low shot into the corner.

The Emirates FA Cup

Preliminary Round replays 
Wednesday 24 August 2016  
Winning clubs receive £1925 from prize fund 
By Jack Miller

But after the same man smashed a penalty straight into the legs of Dunston stopper Stefan Holden, the Bonny Blues were made to pay when James Luccock equalised just after the break before Thear’s heroics at the death.

Meanwhile Bideford also had to come from behind to win against Bodmin Town, despite finishing the game with nine men.

Jake Ash’s header put Bodmin in front, but the Robins equalised through James Richards before substitute Billy Tucker pounced on a weak backpass to score the late winner.

Nick Milton picked up two yellow cards for Bodmin in the first half, but remarkably Bideford’s Matt Andrew and Dan Harrison also saw red in the second period.

Pagham needed extra time to see off Canterbury City, with Josh Irish’s strike putting them 2-1 ahead just four minutes away from penalties.

And it was a similar story for Alresford Town who could not beat Wimborne Town in 90 minutes. But up popped Geoff Dunn in extra time to slot home the only goal of the game, after great work from Mo Nyang, to send the Magpies into first round qualifying for the very first time.

Elsewhere Matty Bannister put the gloss on a 3-1 Eynesbury Rovers victory at Godmanchester Rovers, condemning the hosts to their sixth straight exit at this stage of the competition.

Ben Keating had put Goddy ahead after 16 minutes, but Tom Coles levelled things up before the break, before Eynesbury surged clear in the second half.

Colliers Wood United beat Banstead 3-0, and Croydon were also dumped out by VCD Athletic, after Jamie Guy and Tyrus Gordon-Young gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the interval.

The Trams got back into it through Jeff Dual-Kessie just after the hour mark, but could not find the elusive equaliser in the closing stages.

By FA Staff