Wantage Town were back in FA Cup action this Saturday 13th September when they travelled to Flackwell Heath of the Hellenic League Premier Division in the First Qualifying Round and they served up a treat for the neutral with the final score being 3-3 and the two sides will do it all again at Wantage on Tuesday.

With Jimmy Deabill returning to start alongside young reserve forward Johnny Haist and Jack Smith replacing Henderson at the back the hosts started the brighter of the two sides. Lee Farrow denied Gavin James who burst through on 9 mins. But a few minutes later Sam Barder appeared to be brought down in the box but the referee waved away the penalty appeals. Wantage were now on the ascendency and keeper Bullivant denied both Johnny Haist and the follow up from Danny Lachacz on 14. Then within a minute the home team were gifted a goal when Stuart Cattell headed back to Lee Farrow but the keeper misjudged and the ball went into the net for an own goal. A soft way to go behind. Cattell who was troubled with a calf injury instantly came off to be replaced by Luca Riccio. Flackwell were now rampant and fired a shot into the side netting soon after. Wantage did weather the storm and right on half time Deabill was fouled on the edge of the box and from the free kick Jake Johns hit a top class shot into the roof of the net to level the scores.

Flackwell came out firing again at the start of the 2nd half with the slope now in their favour. Farrow and Jon Steedman made good blocks on the line early on to keep the scores level. Jimmy Deabill nearly grabbed one for the Freds but his header was cleared off the line on 57. Sub Riccio was also forced off with injury soon after - Conor Allmond coming on and almost instantly Wantage had the lead. Haist broke through and with a beautiful finish off the outside of his boot made it 2-1 - his first goal for the senior team. Then a double blow was struck on 66. Tom Melledew’s shot from the edge of the box struck the post but Jimmy Deabill was quickest to react and fired home to make it 3-1 to Wantage.

However with injuries and tiredness biting the Freds decided to try and sit on the lead - it didn’t work and Mitchell Woodward fired home a long range goal with 20 mins to go. The Heathens piled on the pressure and it was no surprise when sub Jamie Hanscombe got up at the back post to level the scores with 9 mins left. Tom Melledew fizzed a late effort just wide before the last action of the match saw another fine Lee Farrow tip over to deny Flackwell the win.

So 3-3 and a replay on Tuesday night at Alfredian Park. We will however be in the hat for Monday’s draw.
Man of the match for his endless running and first ever goal was young Johnny Haist.

Team - Farrow Sadler Steedman Smith Cattell (sub Riccio 15 sub Allmond 62) Lachacz Barder Melledew (c) Deabill Haist (sub Pearce 90) Johns. Subs not used Tucker and Shaw

Flackwell - Bullivant Case Taylor Brown Tripp Jarra Hoar Sturgess (c) James Woodward Rapley subs Chemlal James Tack James-Peddle Blount and Hanscombe.

** The Reserves were not in action this weekend **

OTHER WEEKEND FIXTURES

FA CUP 1st Qual Round

AFC Totton 0-2 Swindon Supermarine
Abingdon Utd 3-0 Milton Utd
Bishops Cleeve 0-1 Banbury
Bodmin Town 3-3 Bridgwater Town
Evesham Utd 0-0 Redditch Utd
Frome Town 2-0 Wimborne
Knaphill 1-2 Fleet Town
Mangotsfield Utd 0-3 Weymouth
Paulton Rovers 3-1 Taunton Town
Sholing 0-1 Chippenham Town
Shortwood 1-1 Cirencester Town
Slough 1-2 Ardley Utd
Tiverton 0-0 Bideford
Truro 0-2 Larkhall
Yate 1-2 Dorchester

SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTH WEST

North Leigh 0-1 Stratford

DIV 1 WEST

Cirencester Dev 4-0 New College
Fairford 0-3 North Leigh Utd
Longlevens 3-1 Carterton
Lydney 5-2 Purton
Tuffley 2-1 Clanfield
Tytherington Rocks 3-2 Shortwood Res