Photo by Ben Pooley
Step 3 Needham Market held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to eliminate Yeovil Town and provide the FA Trophy fourth round’s biggest shock.
By Steven Oldham
Kevin Horlock’s side are through to the last 16 for the first time in their history after winning 8-7 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 at 90 minutes.
Morgan Williams had given the National League side the lead on the half hour before Ben Fowkes brought the visitors back into the game.
Goalkeeper Marcus Garnham was the hero for the Southern League Premier Central side by converting a penalty and saving the deciding spotkick in the shootout.
The Marketmen knocked out Wealdstone in the last round and have made it all the way from the third qualifying round into the last 16.
Morpeth Town were another Step 3 side making waves after beating National League North side Boston United 4-3.
Craig Lynch’s side have also made history by making the fifth round after they came back from trailing 3-2 at half time.
Jake Wright had put the visitors ahead on nine minutes, but Jack Foalle and Liam Henderson put the underdogs ahead within the half hour.
Boston scored twice within a minute on the stroke of half time to take the lead into the break through Scott Duxbury and Danny Elliott.
Liam Noble’s penalty evened the scores once more, with Foalle scoring his second of the match with 20 minutes to play.
There were to be no more goals but Morpeth can still dream of a trip to Wembley.
St Albans City may have beaten League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup, but were on the wrong end of an upset today.
Isthmian Premier side Cheshunt took a 3-0 victory over their opponents thanks to their second half performance. Reece Beckles Richards opened the scoring and Rowan Liburd netted a brace.
The Ambers are another club celebrating their furthest ever progress in the competition.
Steve McKimm’s Tonbridge Angels dumped out National League strugglers King’s Lynn Town on a penalty shootout.
After a goalless first half, Josh Barrett put King’s Lynn ahead with 17 minutes left on the clock.
Tommy Wood levelled the game for the hosts with less than ten minutes remaining to force the game to spot kicks.
The NLS side prevailed 4-3, with Jonny Henly twice saving King’s Lynn’s efforts, and Luke Jenkins converted the decider.
The Trophy has another new name heading into the fifth round for the first time.
Dagenham & Redbridge progressed to the next round with a 2-0 win over National League rivals Southend United.
Two goals in eight second half minutes from Mo Sagraf and Junior Morais gave the Daggers victory.
Notts County are also through after overcoming Eastleigh 2-1 thanks to an Eli Sam brace.
Harry Pritchard had given the Spitfires an early lead before Notts quickly equalised.
Bromley are also through - beating Aldershot Town 2-0 at The Recreation Ground. Joe Partington and George Alexander both netted after the break to put Andy Woodman’s side in the hat for the next round.
Photo by by David Nelson
Dartford caused a minor upset by knocking out National League strugglers Weymouth. Jack Jebb’s first half goal was enough to knock The Terras out - who are under the interim charge of Paul Maitland after Brian Stock was sacked earlier this week.
FC Halifax Town needed penalties to eliminate Alfreton Town of the National League North.
The game had ended 1-1 with Kian Spence giving The Shaymen the lead. Conor Branson levelled the scores shortly afterwards. Pete Wild’s Halifax side won the shootout 3-2 with Jack Senior netting the deciding penalty.
Boreham Wood also needed penalties to dispatch Maidstone United after the game finished one apiece.
Tyrone Marsh gave Luke Garrard’s side the advantage but Michael Phillips’ equaliser forced the game to penalties. Boreham Wood progressed after winning the shootout 5-4.
Wrexham avoided an upset by beating Folkestone Invicta 5-1.
Jordan Ponticelli (2), Jordan Davies, Bryce Hosannah and Kwame Thomas were on the scoresheet for Phil Parkinson’s side. Adam Yussuf hit a consolation for the visitors.
A much-changed Stockport County side eased past Larkhall Athletic 3-0.
A brace for Connor Jennings and a debut goal from Ryan Johnson secured passage into the last 16 for Dave Challinor’s side.
Solihull Moors proved too good for Southport and picked up a 3-0 away win thanks to Andrew Dallas’ hat-trick.
York City won an all-Step 2 clash against Slough Town 1-0, with veteran striker Clayton Donaldson scoring the game’s only goal.
Spennymoor Town had a big scare but came back from a goal down to beat the valiant Plymouth Parkway 3-1.
Tom Bath opened the scoring for Parkway in the first half. A quickfire treble with five minutes left on the clock from Luke Spokes, Rob Ramshaw and Glen Taylor spared the National League North side’s blushes.
The game between Stourbridge and Guiseley was called off due to a frozen pitch.
The fifth round draw takes place on Monday with ties to be played on February 12.
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