Monday, December 16, 2024

Harborough reach FA Cup first round for first time – qualifying round-up

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32 FA Cup fourth qualifying round ties were played on Saturday [Getty Images]

Seventh-tier side Harborough Town made history by making it into the FA Cup first round for the first time, beating Bury 1-0 in the fourth qualifying round.

Ben Stephens squeezed the ball past Bury goalkeeper Mitch Allen from the penalty spot in the second half.

Harborough, who play in the Southern League Premier Division Central, had previously made the cup’s second qualifying round in both of the past two seasons.

They will learn their first-round opponents in Monday’s draw at Valley Parade, Bradford, live on BBC Two (19:00 BST).

National League South side Chesham United surprised Yeovil Town of the National League to go through to round one for the second term running.

Jack Cawley’s back-post header – the only goal of the game – sparked great celebrations at The Meadow.

Elsewhere, 10-man Aldershot Town left it until the 98th-minute to seal a 2-1 victory over National League South side Bath City.

The winning strike came from academy graduate Maxwell Mullins, who fired in his first goal for the club, following Christian Maghoma’s red card for a high challenge.

There was similar full-time joy for Southend United, who scored in the 93rd minute in their game at Eastleigh.

Substitute Aribim Pepple powered through the home side’s defence, before his shot narrowly evaded the grasp of Spitfires goalkeeper Joe McDonnell.

Fellow National League side Barnet progressed more comfortably, thumping Chelmsford City 4-0.

Callum Lee Stead netted twice from close range in the first half for the Bees.

Rochdale also scored four as they enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win at fellow fifth-tier side AFC Fylde, who had former England and Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips in charge for the first time.

York City’s Ollie Pearce was another player to get a brace as they progressed with a 3-1 victory at eighth-tier side Biggleswade.

It was the same final score as Sutton United beat Chertsey Town – but the Southern League side missed a penalty when it was 2-1 which would have levelled the tie.

Meanwhile, Braintree Town got the better of Bishop’s Stortford in a scrappy affair at Cressing Road that saw Iron striker Inih Effiong slot the ball in the bottom corner for the only goal.

Nile Ranger celebrating scoring a goal for Southend United in 2021Nile Ranger celebrating scoring a goal for Southend United in 2021

Nile Ranger’s last EFL spell was with Southend United [Getty Images]

Former Newcastle forward Nile Ranger helped Kettering Town get past higher ranked opposition.

The Southern League Premier Division Central side were 2-1 winners at Farsley Celtic of the National North thanks to goals from Wes York and Noel Williams.

The winner from Williams came in the 90th minute, shortly after the home side had been reduced to 10 men.

Gainsborough Trinity were within seconds of claiming a place in the first round proper for the first time in nine years only for Pemi Aderoju to score a 98th-minute equaliser for their Lincolnshire rivals Boston United and take the tie to a replay after a 2-2 draw.

Jordan Helliwell and Ashley Jackson had given Gainsborough, who play two levels below Boston in the Northern Premier League, a 2-1 lead after they had fallen behind to Jacob Hazel’s opener for the National League visitors.

National League Hartlepool United needed an 87th-minute equaliser from Adam Campbell to take their tie with Brackley to a replay after the Northamptonshire side had led at the break through George Carline.

Eighth-tier side Hednesford Town remain in the hat for the first round after holding Gateshead of the National League to a 1-1 draw at their Keys Park ground.

Rob Stevenson drilled the ball in to earn his team a replay, five minutes after Tyrelle Newton had opened the scoring for the visitors.

Three-time FA Cup semi-finalists Oldham Athletic progressed with a 4-2 win over Halifax Town, helped by two goals from Latics forward Mike Fondop.

Meanwhile, Maidstone United, who beat current Premier League side Ipswich Town en route to the fifth round last season, made it into the first round again with a 3-0 win over Ebbsfleet.

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