FA Vase/Toolstation Hengrove go through after shootout success

HENGROVE Athletic pulled off a superb FA Vase victory at higher-status Wellington, progressing with a 5-4 penalty shootout success following a 2-2 draw.

Mason Raymond fired Toolstation Premier Division side Wellington ahead in the first qualifying round tie, only for Giorgio Mancini to equalise in first-half stoppagetime.

Jack Jones put Hengrove ahead with a 51st-minute strike, but Jesse Howe levelled for the hosts on 68 minutes. Luke Crewe then made two saves in the shootout to put First Division outfit Hengrove into the next round.

Brislington also progressed viaspot-kicks in their all-Premier Division tie at Odd Down.

Jayden Nielson gave Brislington the lead from a free-kick, before Tom Burgess and Jacob Bird struck for the Downers. Neikell Plummer made it 2-2 and Brislington went on to win 3-2 in the shootout.

Longwell Green Sports also enjoyed spot-kick success as they won 5-4 on penalties at Radstock Town after a 1-1 draw.

Keynsham Town hit back from 2-0 down to claim a 3-2 Vase victory at Bodmin Town, thanks to two strikes from Craig Wilson and one from Jordan Metters.

Shepton Mallet moved into the next round with a 3-1 home win against spirited First Division visitors Bishop Sutton, who were level 1-1 at the break. Asa White, Matt Morris and Nathan Legge were the Shepton marksmen.

Welton Rovers eased through with a 4-1 home win againsnt Cullompton Rangers, with goals from Joe Garland, Chris Pile, Kyle Box and Courtney Charles, while first-half goals from Harry Brock (2) and Brandon Benjamin gave Hellenic League side Thornbury Town a 3-0 win at Abingdon United.

Chipping Sodbury went down 1-0 at home to Bishop’s Cleeve, while Almondsbury had a goal from Greg Parr in a 5-1 defeat at Camelford.

Hellenic League side Tytherington Rocks were also knocked out of the Vase, going down 4-3 on penalties at Longlevens after a 3-3 draw.

In the Toolstation Premier, Plymouth Parkway showed why they are widely regarded as title favourites with a 5-0 home win against previously unbeaten Cribbs, with all five goals coming in the second half. Ryan Richards (3), Levi Landricombe and Rob Farkins bagged the goals.

Bitton showed their intention to be challenging strongly for the title this season by following up a 5-1 midweek triumph at Hallen with a 3-2 home win against Bradford Town. Ibrahima Diallo (2) and Micky Tanner scored for Bitton, who led 2-1 at half-time, while Morgan Marsh and Lewis Powell replied.

Cadbury Heath had an impressive 1-0 win at Buckland Athletic. Sam Crumb scored his first goal for Heath with a looping header in the 83rd minute.

Sacha Tong gave Hallen a halftime advantage at Bridgwater Town, but the home side hit back to win 2-1 with strikes from Jack Taylor and Sam Towler.

Hallen later issued a club statement saying manager Ray Johnston

An Odd Down player (blue and white shirt) battles for the ball with a Brislington opponent during the FA Vase tie in Bath, which Brislington won on penalties. Inset: Jayden Nielson’s free-kick for Brislington finds the top corner of the net had resigned. Johnston turned Hallen into top-six challengers last season, but his side had taken only one point from their first five games this time around.

Roman Glass St George had an eye-catching 3-0 win at Clevedon Town, thanks to two first-half goals from Ben Bament and one after the break from Sam Wentland.

Lebeq United top the First Division table following a 3-2 home win against Bristol Telephones.

Ashton & Backwell won 2-1 at home to Wincanton Town, courtesy of goals from Saul Jarrett and Jacob Spence, while Frank TaylorFox scored for Oldland Abbotonians in a 2-1 defeat at Sherborne Town.