SHAYMEN TOOK LONG ROAD TO WEMBLEY!

FC HALIFAX Town had to strain every sinew before they pipped Gateshead at Wembley to land the FA Trophy.

The Shaymen kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win at Guiseley before heading south to face Harrow Borough. It proved a tougher than expected test against the Step 3 side, but Chris Millington’s men squeezed through 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

It was spot-kicks again in round five as Halifax knocked out Alan Devonshire’s Maidenhead 5-4 after a goalless draw. A 2-0 victory at Aldershot in the quarter-finals was more routine, but then the Shaymen had to show their never-say-die spirit at Altincham in the semi-finals.

Trailing 1-0 to their National League rivals, Milli Alli popped up with a priceless injury time equaliser before the penalty kings triumphed 3-2 on spot-kicks to leave Alty heartbroken.

If Halifax ultimately grabbed the Wembley glory, it also proved a memorable competition for a number of other sides, not least final opponents Gateshead.

In the last eight, the Heed survived a scare when they hosted Farsley Celtic, the only side from outside NonLeague’s top flight to get that far. After a goalless draw, the north-east side held their nerve to win 4-2 on pens.

Gateshead showed their penalty prowess once again to book their Wembley berth. After racing back from 3-0 down against Barnet, they won 4-1 in the shoot-out.

Bracknell Town enjoyed a bumper cup campaign and were the only team from outside NonLeague’s top two tiers to reach the last 16. The Robins had kicked off their campaign with a 4-1 win at Canvey Island in the third qualifying round in October.

They then proceeded to beat North Leigh, Tonbridge Angels, Eastbourne Borough and Bath City before bowing out 3-1 at home against National League Altrincham in round five.

Alty had beaten the previous season’s finalists Wrexham in the previous round, 4-3 on pens after a 2-2 draw. Notts County exited at the same stage, going down on penalties against Maidstone.

Holders Bromley’s defence of the trophy was ended by Bath City on penalties.