Kieran Benson’s volley helped Armthorpe Welfare complete a remarkable comeback and book their place in the second round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup.
North Counties East Premier Division side Armthorpe found themselves 2-0 down to AFC Liverpool within ten minutes of Sunday's tie, but responded in style to secure a 4-3 win in the first qualifying round clash.
AFC Liverpool, who were formed by 1,000 Liverpool FC supporters back in 2008, flew out of the blocks at the Arriva Stadium as Ryan Cox netted after good work from Ronnie Morgan before Steve Jones made it 2-0 soon after.
Armthorpe squandered numerous chances to narrow the deficit before David Buck finally got them back in the game five minutes before the break. Goalkeeper Leigh Overton also denied Liverpool a third with a spectacular save.
The Wellie then turned the game on its head in a five-minute spell just after the hour mark – Jon Mirfin notching the equaliser before Benson volleyed his team in front for the first time.
And 3-2 became 4-2 on 74 minutes when Joe Lumsden was on hand to slot home while James Handley’s effort cannoned off the crossbar as his side searched for a fifth.
Cox did score a third for the Little Reds in injury time, but it was too little too late for the North West Counties Premier Division outfit and Armthorpe progress.
The day’s other game was also a high-scoring affair as Slimbridge came from behind to overcome Southern Counties East side Greenwich Borough – who boasted former Crystal Palace defender Gary Borrowdale in their starting line-up.
Greenwich could hardly have started better as, with five minutes on the clock, the lively Mohamed Eisa, who had already seen a well-struck volley hit the post, swept Danny Phillips’ flick into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Former Palace man Gary Borrowdale featured for Greenwich Borough
But 20 minutes later Boro holding midfielder Connor Heffernan headed Adam Mace’s free-kick into his own net before Jack Twyman nodded home Sam Blackie’s cross from close-range to give Slimbridge a 2-1 lead.
And Heffernan’s day soon went from bad to worse as his clumsy challenge on Paul Fahy six minutes before half-time gifted the Swans a penalty which Fahy duly converted to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.
At two goals behind, Greenwich could have thrown in the towel against a side ranked one step higher than them, but instead Gary Alexander drilled home a 25-yard free-kick shortly after the break to make it 3-2.
The hosts then huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser that would have forced a replay, but although Alexander and Heffernan both drew saves from Adam Thomas, Slimbridge held on to seal their place in the second qualifying round.
