By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Isthmian North side Aveley booked a place in the First Round Proper of the FA Trophy, after a victory away to Biggleswade Town.
An Alex Akrofi brace and a third goal from George Sykes put the Millers three goals to the good, before Jamie Carey-Morrell reduced the deficit for the Bedfordshire side 9 minutes from time.
But Aveley won after being awarded a late penalty, which Shad Ngandu struck home to make the final score 4-1.
Chelmsford City are also through after beating fellow National League South club Hungerford Town 2-1 in the tie at Melbourne Park.
Rod Stringer’s men went in front after only five minutes when Tom Knowles scored his first goal for the club, before Dave Winfield doubled their lead with his 26th minute header.
Hungerford pulled one back just after the break via Kofi Halliday and had a great opportunity to snatch a replay 12 minutes from time, when they were awarded a penalty.
But Clarets goalkeeper Sam Howes correctly guessed which way Liam Ferdinand’s spot-kick was heading and ensured victory for his team.
City’s local NLS rivals Braintree Town were not so fortunate as they were on the receiving end of one of the afternoon’s upsets, losing 2-1 to Yate Town at Cressing Road.
The West Country outfit – currently fourth from bottom in the Southern League Premier Division South – went through thanks to a brace from Louis Britton after Jason Banton had given the Iron a second minute lead.
Maldon & Tiptree are also out, suffering their first defeat in any competition this season as they were beaten at Enfield Town.
But the Jammers were only narrowly edged out by the Isthmian Premier League outfit in a seven-goal thriller.
Wayne Brown’s side – who face EFL League Two side Newport County in a televised FA Cup Second Round tie this Friday – got off to the worst possible start when Muhamadu Faal gave the hosts the lead with the tie just seconds old.
Danny Parish levelled for the Isthmian North high-flyers before Marc Weatherstone put the hosts back in front, then just before half-time Parish brought the scores level again this time from the penalty spot.
After the break the visitors took the lead for the first time via Charlee Hughes, but former Billericay and Chelmsford striker Billy Bricknell scored twice to put Enfield through.
Hornchurch earned a replay after drawing 1-1 away to Oxford City, Rickie Hayles’ header cancelling out Nana Owusu’s opener for the National League South outfit.
And Concord Rangers also ensured their name would go into the hat for the next stage as they drew 0-0 with Slough Town at the Aspect Arena, for which they partly have keeper Chris Haigh to thank as he saved a first-half penalty from Slough’s Ben Harris.
Billericay Town’s home tie against Hampton & Richmond Borough fell foul of the weather, the New Lodge playing surface failing a pitch inspection.
The match has been rearranged for tomorrow (Tuesday) with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The draw for the First Round Proper was made at Wembley at lunchtime today, and this is how it panned out for our local clubs:
Oxford City or Hornchurch v Dulwich Hamlet or Chippenham Town
Carshalton Athletic v Aveley
Tonbridge Angels v Billericay Town or Hampton & Richmond Borough
Chelmsford City v Havant & Waterlooville
Sutton United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Maidstone United or Dartford v Concord Rangers or Slough Town
Ties are due to be played on Saturday 14th December.
