Early goals costly as Cirencester are beaten
CIRENCESTER Town and Fairford Town were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first qualifying round stage on Tuesday night, while Evesham United made it through to the draw for the next round, on Friday lunchtime.
Cirencester were beaten 3-1 at South West Peninsula League side Saltash United, while Fairford lost 2-1 to Southern League Division One South side Sholing and Evesham were 2-0 winners at Daventry Town.
Ben Holter put the Ashes ahead in the 11th minute and when Sam Farrant made it two after 24 minutes, John Brough’s men were facing an uphill task.
Ross Gabriel pulled a goal back from the penalty spot a minute later but Reece Thompson added a third two minutes after half-time.
After his side’s defeat, Fairford boss Jody Bevan tweeted: ”Thought we were excellent tonight against a very good @ sholingfc side. Could have gone either way. Rub of the green didn’t go our way nor did key decisions. Can leave with our head held high. Very proud of my players tonight.”
A Dan Mason penalty on 58 minutes and Nick Watts’ 81st minute goal put Sholing 2-0 up, Ross Langworthy’s lastminute penalty being Fairford’s consolation.
Manager Neil Hunt got his first win as Evesham boss with a goal in each half, from Jamie Lucas and Aaron Basford, seeing them through.
On Saturday, Tyrone Tucker-dixon scored the only goal of the game as Bishop’s Cleeve edged past Western League side Chipping Sodbury Town in the FA Vase.
Tucker-dixon scored in the 54th minute as Hellenic League Premier Division side Cleeve go through to host Division One West outfit Malmesbury Victoria on October 10.
Fairford went out after Arran Price’s goal for Lydney Town avenged the Severnside club’s FA Cup defeat to the Reds earlier this season.
Cheltenham Saracens were beaten 3-0 at Wokingham & Emmbrook, who led 2-0 after nine minutes and added a third in the final minute to book a trip to Longlevens in the next round.
In Hellenic League Division One West, Cirencester Town Development were beaten 5-1 at home by Bourton Rovers, for whom Adam Webley, Keegan Bowes, Jake Oakey, Jack Morton and Chris Mills were on target before Max Lloyd replied.
On Tuesday night, Bishop’s Cleeve won 2-1 in a feisty contest at Lydney Town.
Billy English gave Lydney an eighthminute lead but Sam Blackie levelled after 19 minutes and Tucker-dixon netted the winner.
Both sides finished with 10 men when Cleeve’s Blaine Waugh and Lydney’s Lewis Thompson were sent off for a late clash.
Moreton Rangers drew 1-1 in Division One West, Rangers going in front through Dougie Wallace before Troy Budd levelled for the Wood.
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