While the magic of the FA Cup takes all the headlines, the FA Trophy is equally as mesmerising. To find out more about the FA Trophy format, click here.
Saturday saw the second round take place, with sides from Step Two to Step Four doing battle on their quest to reach Wembley. Below we take a look at the biggest upsets, with four Step Four teams beating Step Two opposition.
Anstey Nomads stunned Bedford Town with a 1–0 win on the road. The only goal came just after half-time, in the 46th minute, when Oscar Tonge struck to give the underdogs the lead. Despite being outmatched on paper, Anstey held firm for the remainder of the game to book their place in the next round.
The Step Four team were heavy underdogs against their Step Two opposition and have now reached the Third Round for the first time in their history, where they face a mammoth clash with National League side Hartlepool.
Clitheroe shocked Chester in the FA Trophy at the Deva Stadium, winning 1–0 thanks to a first-half tap-in. Harry Scarborough prodded the ball into the net just before the 20th minute, after a parried header from Sam Olawumi. Chester piled on second-half pressure, but keeper Zac Hadi made crucial saves, and Clitheroe’s disciplined defence saw them through.
Like Anstey Nomads, The Blues are in the third round for the first time and face National League favourites York City.
Harrow Borough produced a dramatic comeback to knock out King’s Lynn Town in the FA Trophy. Lynn had looked in command early, with Ross Crane opening the scoring in the 5th minute, and Gold Omotayo doubling their lead from the penalty spot in the 19th. But Harrow hit back, Dernell Wynter pulled one back in the 65th minute, and then equalised in the 83rd. After a tense shootout, Harrow triumphed 3–2 on penalties, as Lynn missed three spot-kicks.
The Boro have FA Trophy pedigree, having reached the semi-finals in 1983. An away game against fellow Step Four side Leatherhead will give them the chance to progress.
Leatherhead coasted to the third round, rushing into a 2-0 lead after just ten minutes thanks to goals from Seb Tauta Caballero and Jordan Gallagher. The Beavers had no response with the hosts holding firm until the end. While repeating the heroics of getting to the final in 1978, The Tanners have a strong chance to progress at home to Harrow.
The quartet will be looking to join sides such as Burscough and Hornchurch in winning the FA trophy from Step Three or below.
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