By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Maldon & Tiptree of the Isthmian North, currently enjoying an incredible season continued their 100% form by progressing to the First Round Proper of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Wayne Brown’s side travelled to Royston Town and came away with a 3-1 victory to join the EFL League 1 and 2 sides in the First Round Proper, earning a plum tie away to Leyton Orient in the process.
A 20th minute Daniel Brathwaite own goal gave the Jammers the lead before Danny Parish doubled their tally 20 minutes later.
Royston’s Ben Martin got his side back into the match when he netted 10 minutes into the second half.
But Maldon’s prolific forward Jorome Slew made it 3-1 in the 65th minute and that goal was enough to seal the club’s first ever First Round appearance.
Bowers & Pitsea had been very hopeful of doing the same, but their biggest ever FA Cup day – in front of their highest ever home crowd – ended in disappointment.
Rob Small’s side slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Chichester City of the Isthmian South East, watched by a record 531 spectators at the Len Salmon Stadium.
My report on that game can be seen here.
But Billericay Town ensured the appearance of their name in the First Round draw, after an extraordinary finish to what was a tough tie away to National League outfit Sutton United.
The hosts had lead from early as the 8th minute, Omar Bugiel’s far post tap-in putting them ahead.
And going into time added on at the end of the 90 minutes that was still the only goal.
But in the second minute of time added on the Blues suddenly ensured a replay, as goalkeeper Alan Julian – after coming forwards with time running out- headed an equaliser which proved to be the first goal of his lengthy career and ensure a replay.
Meanwhile Dagenham & Redbridge, entering the competition at this stage were on the receiving end of what was probably the shock result of the day.
Peter Taylor’s men crashed to a 2-1 defeat away to Isthmian Premier League outfit Carshalton Athletic, who progressed thanks to second half goals from Bobby Price and and Ricky Corboa either side of Reece Grant’s headed equaliser for the Daggers.
In Tuesday night’s replay Billericay scored a superb 5-2 victory over Sutton and booked a trip to Forest Green Rovers of League Two.
But it was the National League visitors who went in front with 10 minutes played via a Harry Beautyman free-kick, following Sam Deering’s foul on Rob Milsom.
But 11 minutes later Town levelled when a Deering free-kick was put in via the crossbar by striker Jake Robinson.
Robinson returned the favour in the 32nd minute when he set up Deering, who put the home team 2-1 in front before Robinson found the net again on 39 minutes to make it 3-1 to the Blues at half-time.
Ody Alfa made it 4-1 four minutes into the second period before Tommy Wright pulled one back for Sutton in the 55th minute.
But the prolific Robinson sealed his hat-trick late on to round off an excellent win.
The First Round ties are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 9th November and the ties involving local teams are as follows:
Colchester United v Coventry City
Leyton Orient v Maldon & Tiptree
Forest Green Rovers v Billericay Town
Dover Athletic v Southend United
