Stanway Rovers heaped more misery on Needham Market as they upset their higher-placed opponents to advance to the second qualifying round of The Emirates FA Cup.
Rovers have made a fine start the season, sitting fourth in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table while, in contrast, Needham are taking their time to adjust on their Isthmian League Premier Division top flight debut, with four draws and five defeats.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Bloomfields on Saturday but Stanway Rovers ensured there were plenty of celebrations at their home ground on Tuesday as they ran out convincing 3-0 winners against a side two steps above them in the football pyramid.
The Emirates FA Cup
First Round Qualifying replays
Tuesday 15 September
Round-up
Winning clubs will receive £3,000
Jake Clowsley opened the scoring for the hosts after just nine minutes as he pounced on a loose ball to lift a shot over keeper Shaun Phillips.
It was soon two after Craig Hughes fired home his penalty following a clear foul by Phillips while Jordan Palmer steered home a cross from the right on the stroke of half-time to cap a dream first 45 minutes for Rovers.
Needham, who fielded a strong side that included former Colchester United pair Kem Izzet and Karl Duguid, had Phillips sent off for an off the ball incident shortly after the break while they were reduced to nine men in the closing stages when substitute Adam Mills was sent off for a foul on Clowsley.
Stanway now entertain Staines Town after they beat Faversham Town 3-1 – the visitors scoring their goals through a Pat Cox double and Jack Bennett effort.
There were plenty of shocks elsewhere too, including Mildenhall Town narrowly edging out North Greenford United 1-0.
The Eastern Counties League Premier Division side broke the deadlock on 72 minutes through Luke Catchpole with Southern Football League Division One Central outfit Greenford United unable to respond.
There were celebrations aplenty for Deeping Rangers fans after watching their team upset Leek Town 4-2, Scott Mooney scoring twice for the hosts.
While Coleshill Town, of the Midland League Premier Division, were another team to dish out an upset as they beat Northern Premier League Division One South Newcastle Town 3-1.
Only one game required penalties on Tuesday night with Whitley Bay booking a second round qualifying tie against Congleton Town after triumphing 4-2 over Matlock Town.
The game had finished 3-3 after extra-time – nine-man Bay snatching a 120th-minute equaliser to force spot-kicks – before Kris Hughes’ decisive penalty.
Other high scoring games saw Didcot Town edge out VCD Athletic 4-3, Rushall Olympic beat Shepshed Dynamo 4-1 and Bamber Bridge emerge triumphant over Goole AFC 4-2.
