FA Cup First Qualifying Round Recap

Squires Gate provided the standout story in a relatively underwhelming weekend of action for the North West sides involved in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.

Credit: Ian Moore Photography/ Squires Gate FC

Gate Triumphant in Historic Win

Netting the eventual winning goal 51-minutes into the fixture, Dean Ing’s strike secured Gate’s place in the hat for the Second Qualifying Round draw, simultaneously matching the club’s longest run in the competition.

After starting their run in the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Ashton Athletic just shy of a month ago, Luke Evans’ side followed up their emphatic victory over Macclesfield in the previous round with Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over fellow North West Counties Premier team, North Shields.

It is now seven matches unbeaten for the Blackpool based club, who will now have dreams of welcoming a big-name side to the Brian Addison Stadium in the Second Qualifying Round.

Mossley March on with Slender Victory

Jordan Butterworth struck in the first-half to send Mossley AFC through to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, with a slender 1-0 win over Newton Aycliffe FC.

Credit: Paul Stanton

Birthday boy Butterworth was on hand to slot home the only goal of the game in the 24th-minute, in front of a noisy 400-plus crowd at Seel Park. Goalkeeper Dale Latham ensured the Greater Manchester side progressed, making a number of key saves throughout the second period.

For users of the BBC Sport website, it may have looked as if this tie was a little more exciting than it actually was, with the score section reading as a 15-4 victory for Newton Aycliffe. Fortunately for Mossley boss, David Fish, it was just the one goal and his side will look forward to a Second Qualifying Round match in the coming weeks.

Credit: BBC Sport Wesbite

FC United and Buxton Held to Draws

FC United of Manchester and Buxton FC will be forced into an unwelcome replay to decide their First Qualifying Round ties, with the Northern Premier League Premier pair both held to 2-2 draws.

Credit: Paul Hinson Twitter

Despite leading 2-0 at the break, FC United were unable to see out their match against Bootle, conceding an 89th-minute equaliser to the Merseyside club. The result extends the Greater Manchester side’s frustrating start to the season, with another fixture added to an already congested schedule not what Neil Reynolds would have been hoping for.

As for Buxton, they also lead by two goals and conceded twice in quick fashion to throw away their advantage against Sherwood Colliery of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. Warren Clarke and Ashley Chambers netted either side of half-time for the Derbyshire club, who will now welcome Sherwood back to the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium.

Greater Manchester Duo Dumped out

Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United both suffered FA Cup heartache, as the Greater Manchester duo were dumped out at the First Qualifying Round.

Connor O’Grady’s own goal turned out to be the difference between Stalybridge and Colne, with Celtic unable to fight back and save the tie.

For Hyde United, they were beaten comfortably for Morpeth Town, as Sean Taylor netted a first half hattrick to help the Northumberland side to a convincing 6-1 victory.

Elsewhere From the FA Cup

Andrew Dales and Declan Bacon were both on target for Mickleover as they progressed to the next round with a 2-0 victory over Leek Town.

Scott Sephton scored in the first minute for Atherton Collieries, but the Northern Premier League Premier side were eventually held to a 1-1 draw at home to Bridlington Town.

Radcliffe triumphed 2-0 over Liversedge, with a double from Ryan Brooke enough to send the Greater Manchester club through.