This one will live long in the memory for Ascot United fans. The Yellamen were 2-0 down at half-time in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round replay with Risborough Rangers and staring an early exit in the face.
Jamie Tompkins side had had chances in the first half against their Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division opponents but two goals for the visitors before the break appeared to have sealed Ascot’s fate, and a superb clearance off the line by Chris Ellis that would have made it 3-0 and surely out of site.
Tompkins made changes at the break with Sam Evans and Calum Ferguson replacing Ian Davies and Duarte Surpanu, and it was the former – the youngster Evans – who took the headlines on the night.
10 minutes into the second half, Tom Scott pulled one back for Ascot with a strike from the edge of the box and shortly after, full-back George Lock – getting a taste for goals – made it 2-2.
In the final moments, it was Evans – a Yellaman since he was four years old – who reacted quickest to a knockdown from Harry Laflin after a free-kick was floated in to give Ascot a thrilling 3-2 FA Cup win. Full report on Ascot’s website here.
Elsewhere in the FA Cup, there was to be no progress for Reading City who were beaten at home in their replay with Broadfields United 3-1 – the Cityzens goals coming from a Broadfields defender.
In the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division One, Langley were beaten 3-2 at Rayners Lane but there was progress for Eversley & California in the Hampshire Senior Cup, they beat last seasons FA Vase semi-finalists US Portsmouth 1-0 thanks to a goal from Reece Buckett.
Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round replays
- Ascot United 3-2 Risborough Rangers
- Burnham 1-4 Northwood
- Reading City 1-3 Broadfields United
The draw for the First Qualifying Round is here.
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division One
- AFC Aldermaston vs Berks County (Wednesday 25th)
- Rayners Lane 3-2 Langley
Hampshire Senior Cup
- Alresford Town 1-0 Tadley Calleva
- Eversley & California 1-0 United Services Portsmouth
