On Wednesday night, Sandhurst Town made the long trip to Fawcetts Field in New Milton for their FA Cup Extra Preliminary round replay with Lymington Town.
The Fizzers knew they would have to be on top form to progress in the competition as they were playing an established side from the Step above. Despite being underdogs Michael Herbert’s men took the lead as winger Callum Samuel slotted home on 16 minutes. However, the Linnets had turned the game around before half time as they went into the break 2-1 up.
Midway through the second half Lymington added a third and they went on to score two late goals to leave final score 5-1.
Sandhurst have no time to dwell on their Cup exit as they are back in league action on Saturday with a tough away game against Bedfont & Feltham. The free scoring Yellows have bagged 14 goals in their two games so far this season, including an 11-0 opening day victory against Bagshot.
Also in the Combined Counties Division One, Eversley & California look to maintain their 100% start to the season when they make the short trip to local rivals Frimley Green.
The Green have played twice this season, a 0-0 draw on the opening day and a 2-1 FA Cup win over Fareham Town. The Boars will be looking to avenge their 4-1 defeat at Recreation Ground from last year and stay to of the league for another week.
After waiting for two weeks while other teams in the division got their seasons underway, AFC Aldermaston, Wokingham & Emmbrook and Wallingford Town finally kick off their Hellenic League Division One East campaigns this weekend.
In their opening game, Wokingham & Emmbrook welcome Aldermaston to Larges Lane, the venue they are ground sharing with Bracknell Town this season as improvements are made to Lowther Road.
With the Satsumas and the Atom Men looking to improve on their performances from last year, it should be a hotly contested game to start the season.
Wallingford Town kick off at home to Bicester Town who, like their hosts, are yet to play a game this season. The same fixture was played on the opening day last year, and on that occasion the Foxhunters left the Hithercroft ground with a 2-1 win on their way to a second-place league finish. Glenn Goudie’s team will be looking for a better start to this year’s campaign.
The last (but not least) of our local Step 6 sides in action this weekend is Holyport, who travel to Loop Meadow to face Didcot Town Development, who are the reserve side for Didcot Town of the Southern League.
After an opening day defeat in the league and being knocked out of the FA Cup to Step 5 opposition last week, the Villagers will be looking to kick-start their campaign against the Railwaymen, who are yet to play a competitive game this season.
Looking for the Bostik League and Hellenic Premier preview? Tom Canning has that in full here.
Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East
- Didcot Town Development vs Holyport
- Wallingford Town vs Bicester Town
- Wokingham & Emmbrook vs AFC Aldermaston
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Combined Counties League Division 1
- Bagshot vs Epsom & Ewell
- Bedfont & Feltham vs Sandhurst Town
- Frimley Green vs Eversley & California
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Main image: Callum Samuel by Sandhurst Town FC.
