Step 6 Review: Holyport and Eversley & California progress in the FA Vase

Holyport's Fabian Driffill. Photo: Richard Tyrell.
Holyport's Fabian Driffill. Photo: Richard Tyrell.

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Two local Step 6 sides were in FA Vase Second Qualifying Round action at the weekend, hoping to make it into the hat for Monday’s First Round draw.

Holyport welcomed Combined Counties Division One side, Fleet Spurs to Summerleaze Village. The Villagers started strongly forcing several corners, but on 35 minutes they were reduced to 10 men as Charlie Evans was shown a straight red card for a foul.

Despite being a man down Port took the lead on 39 minutes when Fabian Driffill (pictured) took the ball past a couple of Fleet defenders and fired in off the post. Just after half time Driffill was able to double his tally when a mix up in the visitors’ defence left him free to slot home from 10 yards.

The score stayed the same until the 91st minute when Fleet got a goal back, but that was all they could manage. Holyport progress and have been rewarded with a 404 mile away trip to Devon to face Ivybridge Town in the First Round.

Related: Holyport need support for 400 mile FA Vase away day

In the other FA Vase tie Eversley & California hosted Step 5 side Lymington Town of the Sydenham (Wessex) League Premier Division. The visitors came into the game undefeated in all competitions this season, but despite their pedigree it was the Boars who took the lead on eight minutes when Joe Pantony converted from the penalty spot.

Eversley & California pose in their new home kit. Photo: Richard Milam.
Eversley & California pose in their new home kit. Photo: Richard Milam.

Pantony scored his second on 18 minutes to put Eversley 2-0 up. The home side maintained the lead into the second half but on 64 minutes Robbie Slack was shown a straight red card meaning the Boars had to defend their lead with 10 men. Lymington were able to grab a goal back on 80 minutes but despite a nervy last 10, Eversley held out and will now host Step 5 Horndean in the next round.

In the Hellenic League Division One East there were six goals in the game at Scours Lane between Woodley United and AFC Aldermaston. It was the visitors that opened the scoring on 13 minutes through David Appleton and they would go into the break 2-0 up as Anton Rodgers doubled their lead on 30 minutes.

In the second half the Atom Men added another goal through Michael Porter, but Woodley responded almost immediately when Kai Parton-Edey scored on 57 minutes. The Kestrels reduced the deficit further on 79 minutes when Parton-Edey scored his second from a Freddie Barron pass.

Just as Woodley thought they were back in the game Aldermaston got a decisive fourth goal when David Appleton scored his second to leave the final score 4-2 and send the Atom Men to the top of the league.

It was a game of two halves at Loop Meadow as visitors Wallingford took a two-goal lead into the break against Didcot Town Development. The first came in spectacular fashion after nine minutes when Charlie Silkstone rifled a left footed shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards.

Silkstone added a second on 19 minutes as a defensive slip left him all alone to head home. In the second half Didcot grabbed a goal back from a free kick and then finally broke the Wally resistance 15 minutes from time to leave the final score 2-2.

Wokingham & Emmbrook travelled to Chinnor in what was a competitive league match. The Sumas took the lead in the first half as Simeon Weekes went on a solo run and finished well in the far corner. In the second half both sides enjoyed spells of pressure and Wokingham were slightly fortunate to survive a penalty appeal.

Late in the game home tempers frayed and they were reduced to 10 men, helping the Sumas to hold out and secure a win that lifts them off the foot of the table.

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

  • Eversley & California 2-1 Lymington Town
  • Holyport 2-1 Fleet Spurs

Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One East

  • Chinnor 0-1 Wokingham & Emmbrook
  • Didcot Town Development 2-2 Wallingford Town
  • Woodley United 2-4 AFC Aldermaston

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