Mehew strike earns a home replay for Yate

YATE Town earned their place in the FA Cup first round draw by holding higher-division Dover 1-1 in Kent on Saturday.

Paul Michael’s Southern League Premier Division South side took the lead at the National League’s basement club, but conceded a second-half equaliser which sets up a replay at Lodge Road.

Dover made a lively start, with Matt Bentley, Ben Williamson and Sam Wood all going close, but the fifth-tier side were stunned by the visitors inside ten minutes.

Dave Sims-Burgess crossed from the right and Olly Mehew was left with a straightforward finish at the far post to delight the travelling Yate contingent.

The goal took the wind out of Dover’s sails, and the visitors came close to a second goal ten minutes before half-time.

Joe Tumelty played in Mehew, but goalkeeper Adam Parkes was equal to his effort.

The home side drew level just after the hour mark when the ball was helped on by Williamson and Ricky Miller turned it into the net from close range.

Nine minutes from time, Dover were reduced to ten men when player-coach Reda Johnson was shown a straight red card for alleged use of the elbow.

And Yate almost took advantage in injury-time when Sam Kamara whistled a low shot just beyond the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Yeovil were also in yesterday’s draw, but they too will have to win a replay in order to play in the first round proper after Weymouth snatched a last-gasp leveller in a 1-1 draw at Huish Park.

The Glovers took an early lead when a quick free-kick from Dale Gorman caught the Terras defence napping and Charlie Wakefield was able to slot home.

Chances came and went for both sides either side of half-time, but it looked like the Green & Whites had done enough until Weymouth put a long throw into the box and Tom Bearwish forced the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Bath City and Hereford are both out of the competition, however.

The Bulls went down 1-0 at home to Solihull Moors as Danny Newton bagged the only goal after being introduced from the bench.

Newton was on hand to convert after Jordan Wright had saved Joe Sbarra’s low drive as the National League side beat their National League North hosts.

Meanwhile, there was something of a surprise at Banbury, where the Southern League hosts beat Bath City, from the National League South, 1-0. Ex-Shrewsbury and Northampton defender Kelvin Langmead scored the only goal just prior to half-time.