The 48th season of the Buildbase FA Trophy got underway with 64 fixtures and no shortage of drama in the preliminary round.
Phoenix club AFC Rushden & Diamonds reached the second round qualifying last year but won’t be repeating the feat this season after they lost 3-1 at home to Kidsgrove Athletic.
Substitute Tom Lorraine did get on the scoresheet for Diamonds but the damage had already been done as Anthony Malbon, Tom France and Kyle Diskin had put Kidsgrove 3-0 up against the club formed in 2011.
Chasetown bounced back from Tuesday’s Evo-Stik South defeat by Stocksbridge Park Steels with a 2-0 win over Market Drayton Town.
Muzzy Nduna opened the scoring with his header powering in off the underside of the bar, before substitute Jake Lovatt wrapped things up against the Gingerbread Men, who’d relieved long-standing manager Martyn Davies of his duties midweek.
There was an impressive 5-2 away win for South Shields at Scarborough Athletic, with Gavin Cogdon, Carl Finnigan, Matthew Pattison and Andrew Stephenson all getting on the scoresheet.
Michael Coulson and Luke Dean did get first-half goals for Scarborough but the Mariners have now won 51 of their last 53 games and will travel to Farsley Celtic in the first round qualifying.
Another team who didn’t need help in finding the net were Egham Town as they downed Shoreham 7-1, with two goals apiece for Aaron Berry and free-kick specialist Louis Stead.
Egham’s goal tally though was bettered by Cray Wanderers who helped themselves to an 8-0 win over Horsham.
Aaron Rhule opened the scoring after just six minutes and it was 5-0 before half-time – Freddie Parker firing his way to a remarkable hat-trick despite only coming on for the second-half.
Elsewhere, the seaside town of Ramsgate was treated to a fantastic match that kept everyone guessing as travelling Bury Town prevailed 5-3.
Alfie Paxman and Tom Chapman put Ramsgate 2-0 up before Cemal Ramadan and Ryan Jolland levelled things up – Paxman then made it 3-2 before Noel Aitkens and replied and Ramadan wrapped up his hat-trick.
The Blues will now host Chalfont St Peter in three weeks’ time with everyone more than aware of dangerman Ramadan.
