Qualfying began, and ended, for Yeovil on Saturday, as they fell to a surprising 1-0 defeat away at NLS side Chesham United. Let’s see how the rest of the National League participants got on.
We begin in Greater Manchester, where Oldham Athletic booked their spot in the first round with a convincing 4-2 win over fellow National League side FC Halifax Town. The Latics went into half time with a 4-1 lead, easing their way through what could’ve been a tricky tie for the Latics. In a score line of the same measure, Tamworth ensured they made their way into the hat with a home win over 7th tier Macclesfield, although it wasn’t as easy as the score suggests for the Lambs. Another 6 goal game came at another 7th tier side in Leiston, as they hosted Dagenham & Redbridge; they gave it their best efforts, but 4 goals in the last 15 minutes ensured this tie was out of reach, and the visitors stepped into the hat for Round 1.
Another all-National League affair ended in favour of the visiting Rochdale, who ensured that life for AFC Fylde under Kevin Phillips would be a tough one, in a 4-1 victory, Kairo Mitchell bagging a hat-trick in the process. More goals came down south as Wealdstone secured their first round spot with a 4-1 win over 7th tier Gosport Borough, debutant Alex Reid scored a hat-trick in the process, while National League leaders Barnet defeated Chelmsford City in a 4-0 drubbing.
The first replay of the afternoon was booked, as Boston United were spared their blushes thanks to Pemi Aderoju, the Peterborough loanee scored a 98th minute equaliser against the 10 men of 7th tier Gainsborough Trinity to set up the reverse leg at Boston in the coming weeks. Two more National League sides secured their spot in the first round with 3-1 wins away to lower-league opposition, with Sutton United and York City getting the better of Chertsey Town and Biggleswade respectively.
Last season’s media darlings Maidstone caused the first “cupset” of the day, as the NLS outfit handily defeated bottom side Ebbsfleet United in a 3-0 defeat. In reversed fortunes, two National League sides narrowly defeated NLS sides, as 10-man Aldershot Town needed a 98th minute winner from Maxwell Mullins to squeeze past Bath City, who had Alex Fisher to thank for their equaliser, while a Harry Beautyman double helped Woking come from behind against high flying Slough Town.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Glovers fans, as those pesky seagull botherers were defeated away at Forest Green Rovers in a 2-0 defeat, while one of the biggest results of the day took place in front of BBC cameras, as 8th tier Hednesford Town took Gateshead to a replay in a 1-1 draw. There were three more 1-1 draws to mention, as Maidenhead United were pegged back by Taunton Town, Hartlepool United scored a late equaliser at home against Brackley Town, and Altrincham and Solihull Moors finishing level.
There were two final 1-0 wins to mention, as an all-National League tie ended in favour of Southend United, defeating Eastleigh with a 93rd minute winner from Aribim Pepple, who I maintain has one of the best names in football, while an early Inih Effiong goal helped Braintree Town past 7th tier Bishop’s Stortford.
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round results (NL teams in bold)
AFC Fylde 1-4 Rochdale
Aldershot Town 2-1 Bath City
Altrincham 1-1 Solihull Moors
Barnet 4-0 Chelmsford City
Biggleswade 1-3 York City
Braintree Town 1-0 Bishop’s Stortford
Chertsey Town 1-3 Sutton United
Chesham United 1-0 Yeovil Town
Eastleigh 0-1 Southend United
Forest Green Rovers 2-0 W*ymouth
Gainsborough Trinity 2-2 Boston United
Hartlepool United 1-1 Brackley Town
Leiston 1-5 Dagenham & Redbridge
Maidstone United 3-0 Ebbsfleet United
Oldham Athletic 4-2 FC Halifax Town
Tamworth 4-2 Macclesfield
Taunton 1-1 Maidenhead United
Wealdstone 4-1 Gosport Borough
Woking 2-1 Slough Town
Hednesford Town 1-1 Gateshead
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