Ashton Athletic’s management trio were unable to cause an upset as their Emirates FA Cup run came to an end, with a 5-0 defeat to FC Halifax Town in the second round qualifying clash at Brocstedes Park.
Dougie Pitts, Jay Foulds and Ben Kay have been in charge for four years at Athletic, but their already-monumental task became an even tougher struggle when Tom Denton headed in the visitors’ opener after just two minutes - in one of 80 matches played on Saturday.
Danny Hone and a thunderbolt from Jordan Sinnott made it three before the break, with Alex Simmons and Richard Peniket adding second-half gloss for a FC Halifax Town side who have reached the first round in four of the past five seasons.
Emirates FA Cup
Second Round Qualifying
Saturday 17 September 2016
Winners receive £4500 from prize fund
By Ross Lawson
Perennial FA Cup giant-killers Blyth Spartans saw their FA Cup campaign come to an end with a shock defeat at home to Morpeth Town.
Spartans knocked out Hartlepool United on the way to round three last year, but Michael Chilton's double in the first ten minutes set the visitors on their way, eventually prevailing 4-2 thanks to Luke Carr and Liam Henderson goals.
Bishop Auckland are into third round qualifying for the first time since 1999 – with the Step 5 side throwing a spanner into the works with a shock result over Trafford.
There was just one goal needed to separate the two, with more than 400 fans watching on as Andrew Johnson fired home at the second attempt after just 11 minutes.
And the historic results kept on coming, with Farsley Celtic lapping up their strongest FA Cup display since reformation, beating divisional rivals Tadcaster Albion 2-0 away from home.
A James Walshaw penalty and Paul Walker’s second-half strike were the difference, with The Villagers only thankful to keeper Graham McKibbin for saving a penalty to keep the clean sheet.
More than 1,000 fans watched one of the highest-profile ties of the round, but it was Kidderminster Harriers who won the battle of the high-flyers, with Mani Dieseruvwe on hand with a double in the 4-0 win over Tamworth.
Spennymoor Town enjoyed a proud moment in the spotlight when goalkeeper Dan Lowson scored in the previous round, but he was not able to find the net this time as Glen Taylor’s goal was enough to see off Whitby Town.
Kirby Muxloe’s best-ever FA Cup run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Boston United, while FC United of Manchester turned on the style, putting seven past Ossett Town.
Hythe Town were on the wrong end of a stinging comeback as Walton Casuals scored three times in the last three minutes to prevail 4-2, joining Egham Town in the third round qualifying stage after a 4-2 win over VCD Athletic.
Stockport County continued their run with a 2-0 success over Hyde United, with goals from Danny Lloyd and Michael Clarke.
