Stansfeld FC ensured their maiden Emirates FA Cup match was a dramatic one after coming through the extra preliminary round via a penalty shootout.
Billy Shinners was the Stansfeld hero on their home turf, scoring the decisive penalty in a 4-3 shootout win to knock Punjab United out of the competition.
The match itself was also an intriguing affair, with the tournament debutants coming from 2-0 and 3-2 down to force the spot-kicks in a roller-coaster clash.
Freddie Cray started the comeback with a quick-fire second-half double before Billy Parkinson levelled up at three apiece.
Stansfeld will now face Little Common in the preliminary round on September 12 having got the better of higher opposition.
Hashtag United are also celebrating their maiden victory after downing fellow debutants Park View 2-1 in a tense encounter in front of 300 fans.
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Founded in 2016 by YouTube star Spencer Owen and with a significant online following, United had it all to do when they trailed to Keleon James’ neat finish.
But a George Smith penalty followed by Toby Aromolaran’s second-half strike ensured victory would be theirs, setting up a tie against Felixstowe & Walton United next weekend.
Elsewhere, goals were flying in at West Essex where the hosts got the better of Crawley Green 6-3 in an Emirates FA Cup cracker.
Goals were in plentiful supply across Wednesday night’s games while penalty shootouts were needed to settle seven ties, with St Margaretsbury, Hassocks, Carlton Town, Crook Town, Dunstable Town, and Ely City joining Stansfeld in prevailing.
This is incredible 🙌#EmiratesFACup https://t.co/YtRczzOOkn
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) September 2, 2020
It’s been just a month since Arsenal lifted the 2019-20 trophy but football’s oldest competition got back underway in style on Tuesday night, as Steve Massey’s men toppled Odd Down by 4-1 in the 184-tie extra preliminary round.
Striker Goldsworthy gave the visitors the lead early on before fellow forward Matt Buchan doubled their advantage, only for Odd Down to pull one back before the break.
But Goldsworthy struck once more before half time to restore Helston’s two-goal cushion, sending the away side into half time with a comfortable advantage.
And Massey’s side, who were enjoying a stunning run of 25 wins from 26 matches before last season was abandoned, extended their lead through Oli Brokenshire in the second half to progress to the next round of the competition on their first ever appearance.
Kyri Portou was the hero for New Salamis as the fellow Emirates FA Cup newcomers delivered a delicious performance to beat Colney Heath 1-0.
Portou’s first-half strike was enough to down Hertfordshire side Colney Heath, sending the Greek-Cypriot outfit into the preliminary round at the first time of asking.
.@ODownfc 1-4 @HelstonAFC
That’s it!! Another first in the clubs history, and through to the next round against @Official_BTFC
Great performance from The Blues.@EmiratesFACup @swsportsnews @swpleague pic.twitter.com/4HeR2Klbua
— Helston Athletic FC (@HelstonAFC) September 1, 2020
Devon Fender was an extra preliminary round talisman for debutants Alfold, as his brilliant first-half hat-trick propelled the Surrey team to an emphatic 9-1 victory over Shoreham.
Wythenshawe Amateurs marked their first Emirates FA Cup appearance with a memorable penalty shootout win over Shelley, while Westside beat Billingshurst 2-0 to triumph in the battle of the debutants.
Kennington succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Erith & Belvedere in their maiden appearance in the competition, while Little Oakley lost to Saffron Walden Town 4-2 and Millbrook lost 1-0 to Bridgwater Town.
It proved a memorable night for debutants Long Crendon as they beat Clanfield 85 1-0, while Newark Flowserve also celebrated their first appearance in style with a convincing 4-0 win over Deeping Rangers.
Elsewhere, Crawley Down Gatwick toppled Crowborough Athletic 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller, while Whitton United edged out Ipswich Wanderers by the same scoreline on a pulsating night of action.
Mildenhall Town beat Hadleigh United 4-3, while Eynesbury Rovers toppled Desborough Town 7-3 in a helter-skelter encounter in Cambridgeshire.
And there were also emphatic victories for Warrington Rylands, Charnock Richard, Gorleston and Wroxham as football’s oldest competition got back underway in thrilling fashion.
The extra preliminary round concludes on Thursday with St Helens Town hosting Cammell Laird 1907 in the last of the 184 ties.
