It was a pretty even spread of results for teams from our league in a busy day of FA Cup action yesterday. Five teams went through, six – ourselves included – will replay on Tuesday, while a further six clubs will have to chase the dream another day.
There were four all NPL West ties and the away side prevailed in three of them. Our cross-town rivals Hanley couldn’t make home advantage count as they were edged out 1-0 by Stafford Rangers, while two Elliot Morris goals helped City of Liverpool to a 3-1 win at Bootle in a game where both teams ended with ten men.
A Sharif Deans goal in the 81st minute was enough to take Widnes through to the first qualifying round at Stalybridge while Wythenshawe Town and Runcorn Linnets will go again after an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Performance of the day came from Kidsgrove Athletic who went to Warwickshire and thumped poor Atherstone 6-0. A Robbie Hatton hat-trick was complemented by a brace from ‘Castle old boy Kingsley Adu Gyamfi and one from Nat Morley – another Castle favourite.
Bury, who will surely be favourites for promotion from the North West Counties Division this season, took another NPL West scalp yesterday. Having claimed a 4-2 win at Congleton in the last round, they won on their travels again – a Lewis Alessandra goal three minutes from time securing a 2-1 win at Avro.
Atherton Collieries’, tough start to the season continued as they were dumped out the cup 2-0 by Silsden of the Northern Counties East league.
Chasetown also succumbed to lower league opponents, losing 1-0 at United Counties League Premier Division North, Ashby Ivanhoe – Lewi Burnside’s 18th minute dismissal didn’t help their cause.
NPL West title favourites Hednesford Town left it late to secure their passage to the next round and required a late own goal to do so in a 1-0 win at Worcester Raiders. But neither Clitheroe or Mossley were able to make home advantage count against lower league opposition. Clitheroe were held 2-2 by Sheffield, while Mossley and Eccleshill United finished goalless.
Trafford were given a trouncing 3-0 at home to AFC Emley, while finally on NPL West watch, Witton have a home replay on Tuesday with South Liverpool after it finished 1-1 yesterday – a late equaliser giving the Liverpudlians another bite at the cherry.