Bromley showed great character to come from behind to beat Tooting & Mitcham United 3-2 in an entertaining FA Youth Cup second qualifying round encounter on Monday.
Joel Vian had given Bromley the lead midway through the first half only for Razzaq Coleman to put Tooting in the ascendancy with goals either side of half time.
However, a fine solo effort from Daniel Ajakayie levelled the score and then Louis Fox won it with less than 20 minutes remaining.
The FA Youth Cup
Second Round Qualifying
Monday 5 October 2015
By Frank Smith
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The tone was set as early as the first minute when Bromley goalkeeper Roland Higyed saved well from Coleman.
But the deadlock was broken when a great cross-field ball was met by Vian and his right-footed shot across the goal nestled in the bottom corner.
Tooting equalised soon after though, when Coleman dispossessed goalkeeper Higyed and he was left with a simple finish.
The visitors then doubled their advantage shortly after the break when Coleman grabbed his second but momentum swung once again just three minutes later, as Ajakayie beat several defenders before finishing well.
The drama continued as Bromley hit the post and sent the subsequent rebound over, just moments after Olaken Osideko had struck the bar for Tooting at the other end.
And Bromley completed their comeback with 20 minutes remaining when their captain scored what proved to be the winner.
Ashton Athletic also came from behind to win 3-2 at home to Hyde United thanks to a late winner from Dion Johnston.
Jamie Charnock had put Athletic in front after being set up by Harry Johnson but then two impressive finishes from Zeek Parkes and Sam Leadbetter saw the visitors leading in the second half.
However, Ashton’s pressure finally paid off in the final ten minutes when Charnock equalised and they grabbed a dramatic winner when Johnston headed in Alex Ashby’s cross.
They will be joined in the third round qualifying by AFC Fylde after Sam Rigby’s rasping strike early in the second half was enough to beat Nantwich Town.
There was a busy night in The FA Youth Cup second round qualifying on Monday
There were not many clear chances in the first half and both of Fylde’s best opportunities in the opening period went to Zak Adekoya, as he had goal-bound effort blocked and then headed into the side-netting.
Adekoya was also heavily involved when his side scored what proved to be the winning goal three minutes into the second half as his good work and pull-back allowed Rigby to smash the ball past Nantwich’s goalkeeper from 12 yards.
Having already seen Tom Taylor and Max Parry miss good chances either side of Rigby’s strike, Nantwich were left to rue another glorious opportunity four minutes from time as James Bosson headed over from six yards out.
It truly was a game of two halves at Stourbridge as after a goalless first period, the hosts went on to beat Bilston Town 5-2 following an incredible second 45 minutes.
There were also high-scoring victories for Aldershot Town, who beat Alton Town 7-2, and for Biggleswade Town, as they scored four goals in the second half to win 4-1 at AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
And extra-time was needed at Ebbsfleet United as they beat Eastbourne Town 3-2 after the game had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Havant & Waterlooville versus Bournemouth was postponed.
