2013-14 UCL REVIEW

FA CUP REVIEW: DEBUT DELIGHT FOR DIAMONDS

FA Cup debutants AFC Rushden & Diamonds were the league’s star performers in the competition, reaching the Third Qualifying Round in their bow.

Diamonds actually played seven games in the FA Cup including two replays. Their low key start saw them draw 1-1 at London Colney before a 6-1 replay win with goals from Russ Dunkley, Alfie Taylor, Sean McBride, Matt Gearing with a brace and Jack Wisniewski. A 2-1 Preliminary Round success at Northwood followed with Taylor and Gearing on the scoresheet. The First Qualifying Round saw Diamonds stumble to a 2-2 draw at Cockfosters but they made no mistake in the Dog & Duck replay, running out 8-0 winners with Russ Dunkley scoring five headers – a feat that would earn him the Player of the Round accolade! Fazel Koriya and two goal Alfie Taylor completed the rout. Diamonds claimed a second higher grade scalp in the Second Qualifying Round as a Taylor double and Aaron King effort saw off step 3 high fliers Cambridge City 3-2 at the Dog & Duck. Their run ended on the south coast as Conference South Dover ran out 3-1 winners in a Third Qualifying Round tie. Spalding also had a good run reaching the Second Qualifying Round after making home advantage count in three ties. Two goals apiece from Lee Beeson and Andy Tidswell saw the Tulips overcome lower grade Eynesbury 4-2, the pair then scored again in a 4-0 defeat of local rivals Holbeach, Tidswell on target twice and Beeson once with an own goal completing the scoring. A single Tony Battersby goal saw Spalding pip Gorleston 1-0, but their fourth successive tie on home turf saw step 3 AFC Hornchurch run out 4-1 winners at the Halley Stewart Field. Two more sides progressed to the First Qualifying Round where they were paired but a day to forget for both clubs saw Sleaford and Huntingdon both removed from the competition after a late match altercation involving players and spectators saw the tie abandoned with the Greens 2-1 ahead. Sleaford had previously disposed of two Thurlow Nunn sides, beating Ely 3-0 with Ben Garrick, Scott Coupland and an own goal on the scoresheet, following up with a 2-0 success against Godmanchester, Adam Weston and Coupland on the mark. Huntingdon had likewise beaten two opponents from the east. Two goals apiece from Declan Rogers and Stuart Eason gave the Cromwellians a 4-1 success against Fakenham, with Curtis Fulcher and Ben Seymour-Shove on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win at Swaffham. Seven more clubs enjoyed victories in the Extra Preliminary Round. Only Division One victors were Northampton Spencer who beat local rivals Bugbrooke 2-0 with goals from Jack Bartley and Luke Stone. The Millers then took step 4 Royston to a replay in the Preliminary Round. Desborough saw off lower grade Oadby 3-1 at the first hurdle, Will Arnold, Paul Caswell and Michael Byrne sharing the goals before a Preliminary Round exit to Loughborough University. A Michael Cirelli effort and an own goal saw Harborough through 2-1 against Teversal, but they were handed an 8-0 Sunday drubbing by Mickleover in the Preliminary Round. Two Josh Ford goals and one from Lori Borbely gave Boston Town a 3-2 verdict against Great Yarmouth before they bowed out 3-1 to another Norfolk side Dereham. Luke Hollingworth and Tom Waumsley were the marksmen in a 2-1 Holbeach win over Norwich United. Peterborough Northern Star also made a Preliminary Round exit to Ryman opposition going down 4-2 to Wroxham after disposing of local rivals Yaxley with a 3-0 Friday night success at In2Itive Park, two goal Billy Smith and Nick Davey giving Star local bragging rights. Sam Maude and Lee Jones gave Newport Pagnell a 2-0 win over Hatfield at the first hurdle before the Swans were on the wrong end of an upset at Kings Langley next time out.

In total our clubs received £34,700 from the competition prize fund, with AFC Rushden & Diamonds collecting £10,925 and Spalding £6,425.

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