FA Vase Second-half super show sends Sodbury into the next round
CHIPPING Sodbury Town put aside a difficult start to life in the Hellenic League to hit Bristol Telephones for six and move into the first round of the FA Vase.
Abdul Tankara’s 40th-minute strike put Sodbury ahead in the second qualifying round tie at Stockwood, and Sodbury cut loose afer the break to win 6-1 with further goals from Sol Pryce (2), Josh Coombe, Kye Simpson and Connor Waldren.
Cribbs progressed 5-4 on penalties after Steve Murray’s goal had earned them a 1-1 draw at home to Shortwood United.
However, there was penalty shootout woe for Hallen, another Hellenic League side, as they lost 5-4 on spot-kicks at Wokingham & Emmbrook following a 1-1 draw.
Welton Rovers, unbeaten leaders in the Toolstation League First Division, went goal crazy at Sidmouth Town as they ran out 10-2 winners, having been 4-1 up at the break. Courtney Charles led the goal spree with four, Jake Bird and Kyle Box grabbed two each and Will Gould and Joe Ellis were also on target.
Oldland Abbotonians also had an excellent away win with a 2-1 success at Hampshire club Eversley & California. Cash Vinall’s penalty and a header from Andrew Nash put Abbotonians two up before the hosts pulled one back.
Cadbury Heath beat neighbours Longwell Green 2-0 in a Friday night derby played at Hengrove Athletic’s ground due to the ongoing installation of a 3G surface at Longwell Green’s Shellards Road home. Ash Kendall and Dean Preddie scored for Heath.
Ashton & Backwell overcame fellow Toolstation Premier League side Brislington 2-1 at Ironmould Lane, thanks to two great strikes from Conor Hartley and Sam Price.
Bitton, semi-finalists two seasons ago, won 3-1 at home to Cheltenham Saracens, having gone two up inside five minutes through a spectacular own goal from the Saracens centre-back, who found the top corner from 25 yards, and a long-range strike from Josh Egan. Saracens pulled one back in the 56th minute, but top scorer Dean Griffiths added a third for Bitton in the 87th miute to secure victory.
Keynsham Town booked their place in the next round with a 4-1 home win against Long Crandon, courtesy of two goals from Callum Baker and one apiece from Matt Brown and Will Hailston.
Harvey Baker and Ross Lye struck as Bradford Town won 2-0 at home to Odd Down, while Portishead Town lost 3-1 at home to Royal Wootton Bassett and Tytherington Rocks were edged out 1-0 at Sheerwater. Joel Hall gave Bishop Sutton a 1-0 lead at Wendron United, but the Cornish team hit back to win 2-1.
In the Toolstation League Premier Division, Clevedon Town lost 2-1 at home to second-placed Tavistick Town, who had two first-half goals from Liam Prynn before Ethan Feltham reduced the arrears on 65 minutes.
In the First Division, AEK Boco lost 2-1 at home to a Devizes Town team under new management, while Lebeq United went down 3-2 at Radstock Town. In an extraordinary game at Warminster Town, Hengrove Athletic trailed 6-1 at half-time, went 7-1 down but then scored five times in the last halfhour in a 7-6 defeat.