Berks County dished out a thumping to Hellenic League Division One side Abingdon United in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round to reach the First Round Proper.
The Swords, who were promoted to step 6 in the summer, made short work of the Oxfordshire side in a 10-1 win with a hat-trick for former Scunthorpe United Academy player Leslie Sackey while substitute Luke Hayden scored two and the rest of the goals shared around Kai Hobbs, Mark Jordan, Owen Powell, Shaun Wylie and Luke Rippon.
It’s County’s first season competing in the Vase following the clubs elevation to the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Division One from the Thames Valley Premier League and the Swords now have two Hellenic scalps having beaten Newent Town 3-1 in the First Qualifying Round.
Ascot United made it through unscathed with a 4-1 win at managerless Tadley Calleva. The Yellamen scored early and often in the first half with Keaton August and Daniel Bailey finding the net after 15 and 19 minutes while Sean McCormack made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.
McCormack then had a hand in the fourth, his cross finding Denis Nortey on 67 at the far post while Tadley’s consolation came through Ousman Darboe.
Wallingford Town enjoyed a penalty shoot-out win against higher opposition, beating Bishop’s Cleeve 4-3 on penalties after a 4-4 draw in normal time.
Ricardo Benjamin and Kingston Kofi Nyanney both scored in the final minutes of normal time with Wally 4-2 down to cap a remarkable comeback that had already seen Benjamin and Ty Hamilton score.
Also winning on penalties were Wokingham & Emmbrook who beat Hallen 5-4, James Clark getting the Sumas goal in a 1-1 draw in normal time while Windsor were well beaten at Wellingborough Whitworth in a 5-1 defeat, the Royalists goal coming from Lindell Stewart when the score was at 2-0.
Defeat for Eversley & California in the early kick-off, the Boars were beaten 2-1 at home by Oldland Abbotonians and both AFC Aldermaston and Woodley United exited with defeats at Frimley Green and Milton United.
There was one game on the Sunday, but Sandhurst Town vs Longlevens suffered significant delays after a breakdown of the visitor’s coach on the M4 which capped what was a fairly miserable journey according to our friends at Severn Sport: “The dramatic Sunday trip to Berkshire started with the initial realisation that the kit had been left at their Longford Lane headquarters, but was brought up with travelling committee members.
“Then after experiencing road closures and diversions, their trip would take another unfortunate turn when a loud bang and a thud saw the journey brought to a halt.
“A suspected broken flywheel and a near two hour wait on the side of the M4 for players, management and committee members – as well as our very own Ryan Butler, a replacement vehicle attended and the journey was completed.”
Against all the odds though it was Longlevens who go in to the First Round Proper, finding the wherewithal to beat the Fizzers 3-1 who’s goal came from either Toby Lawes or Toby Haworth.
Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Abingdon United 1-10 Berks County
Bishop’s Cleeve 4-4 Wallingford Town (Penalties 3-4)
Eversley & California 1-2 Oldland Abbotonians (1 pm)
Frimley Green 3-1 AFC Aldermaston
Milton United 6-0 Woodley United
Sandhurst Town 1-3 Longlevens (Sunday 26th, 3 pm)
Tadley Calleva 1-4 Ascot United
Wellingborough Whitworth 5-1 Windsor
Wokingham & Emmbrook 1-1 or Hallen (Penalties 5-4)
When the First Round Proper draw will be released.
