Extra-time goals from Christian Artimides and James Meehan struck the killer blow as Wingate & Finchley progressed from the FA Youth Cup First Round Qualifying with a thrilling 5-3 win over Buckingham Athletic.
It seemed as though Meehan had already won it for the home side on 82 minutes, but Robbie Carter’s last-gasp header took an already-enthralling encounter to an extra 30 minutes.
Jordan Tavener had given Buckingham the lead before Wingate & Finchley fought back when Artimides notched his first goal of the afternoon.
FA Youth Cup
First Round Qualifying
Winners progress to Second Round Qualifying
By Ross Lawson
They now go on to face Beaconsfield SYCOB in Second Round Qualifying, with all ties to be played on week commencing Monday 3 October.
Elsewhere, goals were also aplenty at Chasetown FC where AFC Telford United edged a frantic game 5-4, with Benjie Robinson’s hat-trick doing just enough to sink Boldmere St Michaels.
Dan Frances and Mateusz Cichon were also on target as Telford strode into a 3-1 lead, but Boldmere fought back to keep the Bucks in check.
But Robinson’s superb solo goal wrapped up his hat-trick and the tie, and his side are on the road again in the next round with a trip to Wolverhampton Casuals the reward.
Belper Town have also made it to the Second Round Qualifying stage, with their 4-3 victory over Basford United giving them another home fixture, this time against Alfreton Town.
That was despite Harry Wakefield’s two-minute double bringing United level at 3-3, with a late scrappy goal proving decisive in Derbyshire.
Meanwhile, Rushden & Higham United produced a fantastic fightback in their tie at Yaxley, recovering from 3-1 down with 25 minutes remaining to steal the tie with an 87th-minute winner, progressing 5-4.
Coleshill Town also hit five, beating Alvechurch FC 5-3, while Ashton Athletic went one better, overcoming Colne 6-1 on Tuesday night. That gives them a trip to Hyde United, who needed extra time to beat Nelson.
There were impressive performances all round in the First Round Qualifying ties, with Needham Market winning 12-1 against Haverhill Rovers, while Woodbridge Town also hit double figures against the unfortunate Cornard United.
Finally, both Bracknell Town and Hitchin Town were reliant on penalties to keep their FA Youth Cup campaigns alive, overcoming Windsor FC and Edgware Town respectively after extra time could not decide a winner.
