Rampant Ton ease through in FA Cup
Bitton cruised through the FA Cup extra preliminary round with a crushing 7-0 victory over Tavistock. Dan Langdon’s side, who won both of their first two Toolstation League games 2-0, put their South West Peninsula League opponents to the sword to claim £2,250 in prize money. Mario Mateus put Bitton ahead on 29 minutes, then Ben Harris robbed the Tavistock goalkeeper of the ball and fired it into an empty net. Five more goals followed in the second half as Ben Bament hit a hat-trick and Josh Egan and substitute Toby Osman were also on target. Awaiting Bitton in the next round are Wessex League outfit Portland United The Ton had overcome Bradford Town last Wednesday in the league as goals from Bament and Egan earned them victory at Trowbridge Road. The Bobcats recovered from the defeat by dumping newly promoted Roman Glass St George out of the FA Cup. After Tyler Sibbick had Town in front, Glass roared back to take a 2-1 advantage, but a Sibbick lob ensured the game was level at the interval. Mark Robinson had Bradford back in front come the second period, after which Sibbick missed a penalty. However, there was no way back for Roman Glass regardless as substitute Conner Mckay and Martin Lenihan added some gloss to the scoreline. Bradford now host Paulton Rovers in the preliminary round on August 25. Keynsham Town slipped out of the cup in a Tuesday night replay at home to Bodmin Town. Down to ten men since the 27th minute when Craig Wilson was dismissed, the Ks were 2-0 down at the interval and three behind before Kyle Box stepped off the bench and struck a late consolation. The original tie had been a remarkable 4-4 draw, Keynsham recovering from 3-1 down at the break as Matt Brown, Lee Pitman and Adrian Harvey all added to Cameron Shorney’s first-half goal. Odd Down lost 1-0 at Saltash United to end their FA Cup hopes for another season. ■ TOOLSTATION LEAGUE A number of First Division teams not involved in the FA Cup played on Saturday afternoon, Corsham Town among them. They took part in a Wiltshire derby with Calne Town, which ended in a 1-1 draw as Josh Bright’s goal was cancelled out in the second period. ■ SOMERSET LEAGUE Fry Club made a dream start in the top flight with a 4-1 triumph at Nailsea & Tickenham, with Kris Allen, Justin Skinner, Ed Searle and Nick Walters on target. It did not get off so well for Odd Down Reserves in a 3-0 home loss to Watchet Town. In the newly restructured Division 1, Rhys Cook scored twice as Timsbury Athletic cruised to a 5-0 away win at Long Ashton, Ellis Hancock, Ebner Heatley and Jem Lutwama were also on target for Dom Eatherden’s men. Dave Pollinger’s late strike saw Saltford best Somerton Town 1-0, but Keynsham Town Reserves were beaten 2-0 by Uphill Castle. Fry Club Reserves lost a 4-3 thriller at home to Imperial in Division 2 despite strikes from Danny Veale, Sam Hewitt and Harry Pople. Peasedown Miners Welfare opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Frome Town Sports in Division 2 on Tuesday night.