There were just four players at the first training session of Wombwell Town back in 2018 but seven years later, the club took the latest step in their history with a maiden Emirates FA Cup tie.
Founded by former Barnsley pair Karl Rose and Doug O’Connor, the Wellers are into the Preliminary Round after seeing off Horbury Town 4-0 on Tuesday night in the Extra Preliminary Round replay having drawn 0-0 in the original tie.
With both teams making their bow in the competition, it was an historic moment and Rose was overwhelmed with pride at what the club had achieved since its inception.
He said: “When we set the team up seven years ago in 2018, at our first training session we had four lads there. To go from that, we’ve had four promotions and all the hard work from the volunteers and the players who have come before to set us up for this historic day, it’s an absolute dream.
“I’m sure I’ll sit back with a beer and look back with pride at everything the club has achieved in the short space of time we’ve been around and hopefully there is a lot more to come.
“On Saturday afternoon, all you think about is three points for the first team. But my three kids play in the junior set-up, we’ve got 22 junior sides now, boys and girls. To be part of that community and walk around the village wearing the Wombwell Town jerseys and jackets is great. All the parents really buy into the community side.”
The magic of the cup. If you have a photo to share from today's game. Please tag us in. pic.twitter.com/1YpanjltM5
— Wombwell Town FC (@WombwellTownFC) August 2, 2025
Wombwell and Horbury know each other well, having both been promoted last season from the Northern Counties East Football League Division One.
Horbury, who are celebrating 60 years of existence this season, were crowned champions, with Wombwell coming through a play-off to join them in promotion.
And after a hard-fought 90 minutes during which neither side could find a breakthrough, they did it all again on Tuesday as Wombwell eased to victory, with Jordan Kershaw grabbing their first goal in the competition.
That meant the end of the road for Horbury in their maiden run in the competition, with boss Darren Barnes now set to turn his attentions to other ambitions.
He said: “Being in the FA Cup and the FA Vase is incredible.
“Last year, the cups that we were in, it wasn't so much of a thing to have a cup run. In fact, it helped us achieve what we obviously did and win the league. Not having the distractions of cups was fine last year.
“This year we want to try and have a few cup runs. We've got four cups.”
Around the grounds
There was plenty of drama as the Emirates FA Cup made its return for the 2025/26 season with Ethan Feltham a star of the day.
The Portishead Town striker helped himself to a hat-trick as they edged out Windsor & Eton 4-3, having led three times before finally getting over the line.
Elsewhere, Eastbourne Town left it late to earn a replay with Ashford Town (Middlesex), scoring twice in the final five minutes to clinch a 2-2 draw.
Arguably the performance of the day came from another Eastbourne side, Eastbourne United, who were 4-1 winners away to East Grinstead Town, despite playing in the division below.
Abbey Hulton United were also triumphant away from home to opposition from the division above as they beat Boldmere St Michaels 3-1 with Aaron Bott scoring twice.
The comeback of the day belonged to Shepshed Dynamo, who trailed 2-0 away to AFC Wolverhampton City before running out 3-2 victors.
Macara McNulty and Danny Munday had put the home side in control before two goals in eight minutes around the hour-mark, from Cyprian Mtenga and Declan Peart levelled the scores.
That set up a grandstand finale and Jude Collins sealed a stunning turnaround with a brilliant counter-attacking score to send Dynamo into the next round.
WOW!
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 2, 2025
Hanley Town’s Lewis Porter… take a bow 🤯#EmiratesFACup | 📹 @HanleyTown66 pic.twitter.com/183EXzjaE1
A word too for Lewis Porter, whose sensational goal helped Hanley Town beat Lichfield City 3-1.
For all the results, click here.
