UCL Review 2012-13_9a2d718c

FA CUP REVIEW: SEVEN CLAIM TWO WINS

It wasn’t a vintage season for member clubs in the FA Cup as the league’s interest ended in the First Qualifying Round with seven clubs progressing that far before all exiting to higher grade opponents.

Pride of place went to Division One Bugbrooke who won 3-1 at league rivals Rushden & Higham in the Extra Preliminary Round with goals from Lee Wilson, Brad Janes and Lance Allen, following up with a 3-1 replay success at higher grade Ely, Will Briscoe scoring twice and Wilson once. A second Eastern Counties opponent Dereham proved more formidable running out 4-1 Birds Close winners in the First Qualifying Round.

Holbeach had a couple of 2-0 victories on their travels, Sam Mulready and Jermaine Palmer on target at Arnold and Andy Tidswell and Andy Toyne netting at Kirby Muxloe, before a 2-1 exit to Stamford at Carters Park.

Newcomers Quorn kicked off with a 2-0 victory at Boston Town, Liam Turner and Martin Bowles on target and then put out Dunkirk 2-1 with an own goal and Kris Nurse effort. In the First Qualifying Round they ran step 3 Buxton close before bowing out by the odd goal in three. Cup debutants Peterborough Northern Star enjoyed two home wins over Division One opposition. A Billy Smith hat trick and Nick Davey brace saw them overcome Whitworth 5-1 while Denny Escorsio, Dan Bucciero and Lewis Stone shared the goals in a 3-1 defeat of Thrapston. The boot was on the other foot at St Neots where Star went down 5-0. Huntingdon started with a lone goal success at Irchester, Joe Jordan the matchwinner and he was again on the mark in the Preliminary Round in a 3-2 derby defeat of St Ives, Dan Drane and Craig Green the other goalscorers. A First Qualifying Round trip to Cambridge City saw Town on the wrong end of a 7-0 drubbing. Newport Pagnell scored six in each of the first two rounds. At Reading Town Dom Lawless hit a hat trick in a 6- 1 success with Daren Dykes, Richard Armstrong and Keith Williams also on the scoresheet, while in the Preliminary Round Ardley were beaten 6-2 at Willen Road with Matt Broomes, Dykes and Lawless scoring two goals apiece. In the First Qualifying Round the Swans lost 3-2 at Chalfont St Peter. AFC Kempston progressed through two rounds, winning 3-1 at Haringey with goals from a home defender, Danny Watson and Josh Bamford, and followed up with a 2-0 home defeat of Cockfosters, Jordan Jarrold and Cameron Clark on the mark. Hampton & Richmond won 3-0 at Hillgrounds in the First Qualifying Round. Seven more clubs enjoyed victories in the Extra Preliminary Round. Blackstones blitzed Barrow Town 5-1 with an Addie Staffieri double and one apiece from Tim Quy, Danny Barker and Andy Boome before exiting 3-1 to higher grade Gresley next time out. Oadby disposed of former league rivals Anstey 3-1 with goals from Che Adams, Jon Stevenson and Michael Reeve before a narrow 3-2 exit at step 4 Carlton in the Preliminary Round. Ryan Oliver and Tony Edwards gave Sleaford a 2-0 win over Holwell Sports before they succumbed 2-1 to higher level Rainworth while a single David Cobb goal took St Ives through at Fakenham. An upset saw Thrapston beat Premier side Cogenhoe 2-0 at Chancery Lane, Jamie Gilsenan and Ryan Gormley the marksmen, while Ryan Cherry and Michael Boyle-Chong were on target in a 2-1 Wellingborough win over March which set up a tie with Kings Lynn and a 3-1 reverse for the Doughboys. Yaxley needed a replay to get the better of Northampton Spencer, two Ash Brand goals and one from Luke Hipwell securing a 3-1 home win for the Cuckoos en route to a 3-0 exit at Wisbech in the Preliminary Round. Thirteen clubs failed to make it through the Extra Preliminary Round with the casualties including the fancied Spalding side who lost 2-1 at home to Blaby & Whetstone and the previous season’s giantkillers Deeping who were on the wrong end of an upset this time, bowing out 3-1 at step 6 Holbrook. The fourteen clubs winning Extra Preliminary Round ties received £1,000 each with Preliminary Round winners pocketing a further £1,750 for their successes, making total prize money won by member clubs in the competition during the season £26,250.

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