Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay Review.....

By Steve Whitney

Ambitious Bostik League Premier club Billericay Town caused Tuesday night`s major Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round replay talking point after emphatically dismissing Vanarama National League South side Hungerford Town from their replay at New Lodge.

In front of a crowd of 1,024, what turned out to be the turning point of the match came in the 15th minute when one of Billericay`s high-profile stars, former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant, had to be substituted by Billy Bricknell.

The home side then opened the scoring in the 20th minute, Ricky Modeste crossing from the right-hand side for Louie Theophanous to score.

Then in the 43rd minute Billericay doubled their lead when Theophanous crossed for Bricknell, who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-0 to the hosts.

Hungerford pulled a goal back 6 minutes into the second half, Stefan Brown netting off the post from close range.

But Billericay then made it 3-1 with Bricknell`s second of the game on the hour-mark.

And it took the sub just another 2 minutes to complete his hat-trick and put the tie beyond the Crusaders’ reach.

Another sub, Jeremy Lynch, made it 5-1 with his first goal for the club 15 minutes later, and skipper Paul Konchesky netting via a free-kick to make it 6-1 in the 83rd minute.

The other National League sides replaying Third Qualifying Round ties came through relatively unscathed, although East Thurrock United were made to fight hard for their Essex derby win at the Arena against Billericay`s league rivals Harlow Town.

East Thurrock had to come back from being a goal down on the half-hour mark when Nigel Neita slammed the ball home from close range after good work by Junior Dadson.

But the lead didn’t last for long as Reece Harris sneaked round the back in the 37th minute to equalise.

And East Thurrock took the lead in the 63rd minute when Lewis Smith stroked the ball home from the edge of the box to score the goal that eventually proved to be the winner.

National League North side AFC Telford United – famed FA Cup fighters of the past – came through their tricky test at the New Bucks Head against Evo-Stik League Premier Stafford Rangers.

The sides went into the break level, after Marcus Dinanga's opener for the Bucks was cancelled out by Richard Gregory.

However, Telford were on top in the second half and a Mat Bailey own goal put them ahead again, and then Anthony Dwyer made it three against his former club, with sub Jordan Murphy making it 4-1.

There were two all-National League North replays on Tuesday.

Stockport County bowed out at Broadhurst Park against neighbours FC United of Manchester, who were reduced to nine-men BEFORE half-time!

Events took a dramatic turn in the 24th minute when skipper for the night Matty Hughes was shown a straight red card for tripping Bohan Dixon when the County striker was through on goal.

Five minutes before the interval, the hosts found themselves down to nine-men when Mike Connor received a second yellow card for a foul on Jimmy Ball.

Steve Irwin struck the County crossbar with an in-swinging free-kick from the left before Mike Jones, one of two substitutes introduced for the second half, forced Ben Hinchliffe to parry behind a well-struck shot from distance on the right.

And as the Hatters attempted to clear the resulting corner, Tom Greaves stabbed home to give the hosts the lead – a lead they defended superbly.

Nathan Jarman and Bradley Wells were Gainsborough Trinity’s heroes as they won a place in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

The duo struck late goals to defeat Leamington 2-0 in their replay at Nethermoor and win a trip to league rivals Harrogate Town.

Five minutes from time Shane Clarke was fouled and Jarman curled a 20-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Then 5 minutes into stoppage time subs Tom Davie and Bradley Wells combined to secure victory.

They meet Harrogate after they beat another National League North side, Bradford Park Avenue, in their replay 24 hours earlier at the Horsfall Stadium.

After over two hours of football between the two with no breakthrough, George Thomson's free-kick teed up Joe Leesley's whose powerful drive wrong-footed Steven Drench.

The winger then created his side's second and sealed a place in the next round after his corner was headed into his own net by substitute Danny Boshell.

Where next?

Aspin Leaves Heed To Take Port Vale Job Neil Aspin has left Gateshead after being confirmed as Port Vale's new manager this morning.
Tuesday`s Round Up: Vanarama National League Macclesfield Town moved to the top of the Vanarama National League table on Tuesday night after inflicting a 2-1 defeat on lowly Guiseley AFC at Nethermoor.