Stockton Town and Thatcham Town are one step closer to Wembley as both sides emerged triumphant in their semi-final first legs of the Buildbase FA Vase.
Two first-half strikes were enough for Stockton to beat Teesside rivals Marske United away from home as Thatcham take a slender 1-0 lead into the second leg against 1874 Northwich.
The second legs will be played next week with all four sides looking to make it to the home of football for the very first time.Marske United 0-2 Stockton Town
Just 17 miles separate the two towns as the Seasiders were looking to make home advantage count in the first leg at Mount Pleasant.
But it would be the visitors who got themselves in front after just 11 minutes as a Kevin Hayes free-kick was nodded home by Jamie Owens.
The Seasiders looked for an instant impact and almost had their reward as Craig Gott’s free-kick was superbly saved by goalkeeper Michael Arthur.
Marske continued to bang on the door as a long range effort by Chay Liddle was well saved by Arthur yet again before the hosts then hit the woodwork.
But Stockton then hit the hosts with a sucker punch to double their lead three minutes before the break as Fred Woodhouse turned home from close range.
Despite the best efforts of Marske in the second half including a golden opportunity for Gott who sliced wide late on, Stockton held out to seal a crucial 2-0 away victory.
Thatcham Town 1-0 1874 Northwich
Thatcham are on their best ever run in the Buildbase FA Vase and took a giant stride towards a fairy-tale cup final with a tight 1-0 victory over 1874 Northwich.
In a hotly-contested affair, a fourth minute penalty proved to be the decisive moment as Shane Cooper-Clark was felled inside the box.
Ross Cook stepped up and comfortably slotted home to nudge the Kingfishers in front.
Thatcham could have doubled their lead but Cooper-Clark’s effort went narrowly wide.
1874 Northwich, who were only founded in 2012, struggled to impose themselves on the game and nearly fell further behind but Ekow Elliot’s effort was kept out brilliantly by keeper Greg Hall.
Scott McGowan had the best chance for the visitors moments before half-time couldn’t find a way past Chris Rackley.
But there was to be no further goals in the contest at Waterside Park as Town take the slenderest of leads to the Barton Stadium for the second leg.
Tickets for Non-League Finals Day, which features the finals of both the Trophy and Buildbase FA Vase at Wembley, on Sunday 20 May are already on sale. Find out more on how you could be there https://ticketingcontent.thefa.com/NLFD%202018
