The good news is in, all three Berkshire clubs navigated their FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round fixtures and are in to the hat for the Third Qualifying Round draw.
Bracknell Town were pushed by Hertford Town at Bottom Meadow but beat their Isthmian League rivals 3-2 thanks to goals from Seb Bowerman, Duncan Culley and James Clark.
The Robins were 1-0 up in the eighth minute thanks to Bowerman’s penalty but pegged back seven minutes later.
New signing Culley, previously with Hampton & Richmond Borough and Hayes & Yeading United, but most recently Royston Town restored the lead just before half time, reacting quickest to a save from Dave Tarpey.
After the break, a triple-substitution on the hour from manager Bobby Wilkinson yielded a quick dividend when the fresh legs of Clark made it 3-1, only for Hertford to ensure a tense final few minutes with an 89th-minute goal.
Grace steps up as Binfield win on penalties again
Binfield, well, they did it again. The Moles won on penalties at North Leigh after being 2-0 down at one point in normal time.
The Oxfordshire side led 2-0 in the first half only for full-back Jack Thomson-Wheeler to pull one back just before half time.
A big second half needed then, and it was former Basingstoke Town striker Callum Bunting who came up with the goods, levelling the scored on 68 minutes ensuring another set of spot kicks after last seasons FA Vase heroics.
And it was of course the Moles who prevailed, Chris Grace saving two while all four Binfield spot kicks were converted in a 4-1 shoot out win.
Chris Rackley is Thatcham Town’s hero
In West Berkshire, Thatcham Town also won on penalties, ensuring a second cup disappointent for visitors Sholing who were beaten by Bedfont Sports in the FA Cup on Tuesday, denying a match up with former Football League side Kidderminster Harriers.
Lamin Ceesay scored the opener for Thatcham in the first half and it looked good for the Kingfishers until the 86th minute when Sholing equalised sending the tie to penalties.
Both sides missed penalties in the opening rounds from 12 yards, the heroic moment coming from goalkeeper Chris Rackley who saved twice at 2-2 to see the blues through 3-2 on penalties.
Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Bracknell Town 3-2 Hertford Town
North Leigh 2-2 Binfield (Penalties 1-4)
Thatcham Town 1-1 Sholing (Penalties 3-2)
