The First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase brought mixed fortunes for our teams with five going through and six going out. But I always think it is very unfortunate when two teams from the same league meet in an FA competition, as happened on Saturday at Holwell, Radford and Stapenhill.

HOLWELL SPORTS put paid to ANSTEY NOMADS expectations with a second half blitz. Mark Brown had given Anstey a third minute advantage which they held until the 56th minute when Kieran Foster levelled things up. It sparked four goals in 18 minutes for Sports, who went ahead through Liam Chapman on 57 minutes, extended by Chris Hibbitt after 65 minutes, and turned into four by Foster’s second goal of the game in the 74th minute. Darren Taylor got a second for Anstey in the last minute.

BLABY & WHETSTONE ATHLETIC won the second of the all-EMC clashes with an odd goal of three victory at RADFORD. Ross Lavin put them ahead on 13 minutes only for Jahred Russell to level seven minutes later. Aaron Preston’s goal on 35 minutes proved to be the winner.

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC had a convincing 3-0 win at STAPENHILL with Andrew Mottershead putting them ahead on 35 minutes and this being extended by Shane Newton four minutes into the second half and Ant Fay on 65 minutes.
ARNOLD TOWN bowed out at Midland League Long Eaton United by the same three goal scoreline, and GREENWOOD MEADOWS lost 2-1 on their visit to former EMC side Thurnby Nirvana. Karl Darilowa got the Greens goal.

Carlton Beardmore’s 43rd minute goal was not enough to give AYLESTONE PARK success on their visit to Louth Town and they went down by the odd goal of three in extra time.
Extra time, however, proved successful for BARDON HILL who won a seven goal thriller at Cadbury Athletic. Jack Coulson and Steve Hart scored their first half goals but it wasn’t until three minutes into stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes that Richard Hanslow’s goal send the game into the extra thirty minutes. Hanslow struck again six minutes into extra time to send the Quarrymen through.
Isaac Minott’s 74th minute goal was enough to sent league leaders HOLBROOK SPORTS through to the Second Qualifying Round on their first ever visit to Harborough Town Imperials.

In the league BARROW TOWN and KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE both failed to take advantage of HOLBROOK SPORTS and SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC being involved in FA Vase action. The result being that the latter two still continue to lead the table. Elliott King rescued a point for Kimberley Miners Welfare on their visit to ELLISTOWN & IBSTOCK UNITED with a goal ten minutes from time after Ben Harris had put the home side in front as early as the 19th minute.

It was even worst for Barrow Town, for Toby Howard struck in the 74th minute to give GRAHAM STREET PRIMS all three points with the only goal of the game.
BORROWASH VICTORIA appear to have got over their shaky start to the season and recorded a fine win at ASHBY IVANHOE with Phil Massingham and Ross Coxon on the score sheet an OG completed the 0-3 score line.

ST ANDREWS were another side though who left it late to wrap up the points when GEDLING MINERS WELFARE visited Canal Street. Brady Hickey had given the Saints a good start in the 21st minute but they had to wait until eight minutes into stoppage time before Ryan Hodkinson scored their second goal and made the points safe.