Jack Barham scored a stunning hat-trick as National League Aldershot Town shocked League Two Swindon Town 7-4 in the Emirates FA Cup First Round.
It was a remarkable performance from Shots, who took the lead inside a minute and never looked back on a day where are number of non-league sides caught the eye.
Barham got the ball rolling in the first minute at the County Ground, slotting home Josh Stokes’ neat pass, before he doubled the advantage on four minutes with a curled effort.
Barham was then involved in the build-up to the third, getting onto a ball over the top with Stokes eventually finding the net as Aldershot raced into a scarcely believable 3-0 lead after ten minutes.
Lorent Tolaj then made it four on the stroke of half-time, before Cian Harries added number five after the break from the penalty spot.
A stunning half-volley from Tolaj made it six before Barham completed his hat-trick for 7-0 on the hour.
Swindon fought back with two late goals apiece for Dan Kemp and Charlie Austin but it was very much Aldershot’s day as they became the first-ever non-league side to score seven goals against league opponents.
The magic of the @EmiratesFACup.#TheShots❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/QP65vGbfXK
— Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) November 4, 2023
Elsewhere, eighth-tier Ramsgate sprung a huge surprise as they got the better of National League Woking 2-1.
One of three sides from the eighth tier in the First Round, the Isthmian League South East side came from behind as former Manchester United man Lee Martin fired home the winner 15 minutes from time.
There was nearly another big scalp for National League North Scarborough Athletic, who led through Alex Wiles against League Two Forest Green.
However, Olly Sully levelled deep into injury time to deny the Seadogs the victory, with the two teams set to face off once more in a replay.
Yeovil Town have long been known for their FA Cup exploits, and they marched into Round Two at the expense of higher ranked opposition, Rhys Murphy scoring twice as the National League South outfit downed National League Gateshead 3-2.
In the early kick-off, Barrow AFC, from League Two, impressed with a 3-1 win away to Northampton Town from the division above. Second-half strikes from Tom White and Ben Whitfield allowed them to pull clear.
National League North Alfreton Town will go into the hat for the Second Round after they got the better of National League South Worthing, 2-0, but seventh tier Bracknell Town could not quite pull off the comeback away to League Two Cambridge United, going down 2-1 despite Ben Harris pulling a goal back five minutes from time.
There were two more impressive victories for League Two sides as AFC Wimbledon powered past Cheltenham Town 5-1 with a double from James Tilley, while Morecambe matched their exploits in taking down a side from the division above as they came from behind to beat Lincoln City 2-1.
In the two late games, Blackpool and Wrexham booked their place in the Second Round draw. Blackpool ended Bromley's dreams over making it any further, Shayne Lavery and Karamoko Dembélé scoring in a 2-0 victory. Wrexham then got the better of League Two rivals Mansfield Town, Sam Dalby and Paul Mullin scoring in a 2-1 success.
