Berkhamsted FC battled past Beckenham Town in a nine-goal thriller on an enthralling day of Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying action on Saturday.
Southern Premier League Premier Division Central side Berkhamsted were favourites on paper, and started brightly with goals from Nathan Frater and Kyal Williams, though Beckenham halved the deficit on the stroke of half time through Freddie Nyhus.
Max Bustamante restored the Comrades’ two-goal advantage shortly before the hour mark, but their Isthmian League South East Division opponents refused to go away, closing the deficit again through Dieko Falade.
Berkhamsted thought they had sealed victory as Bustamante and Jeremiah Luwero both netted to make it 5-2, though late strikes from Cameron Brown and Mudiago Wanogho again pulled Beckenham back into the match.
The hosts were able to eventually hold on, claiming a 5-4 win in an extraordinary encounter.
Elsewhere, Louis Baker struck late on as Darlaston Town forced a replay in a 2-2 draw against hosts Sporting Khalsa - in front of the BBC cameras.FULL TIME SUMMARY | The Comrades go through to the next round with 5-4 win over @beckenhamtownfc. Goals from @MaxBusta_9 (2), @Frates10, @kingwill109 and @JeremiahLuwero.
— Berkhamsted FC (@BerkoFC) September 2, 2023
Crazy second half!
We wish Beckenham well for the rest of the season. 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/8zIDOAbqlx
The hosts were ahead less than four minutes in, Toumani Sidibe scoring early on after running onto a delightful longball from Khalsa goalkeeper Sam Arnold, but Ben Priest quickly levelled for the visitors.
Sidibe’s second of the afternoon put Khalsa ahead at half-time but, despite Arnold saving a penalty, Baker’s fierce low strike with two minutes of normal time remaining left it honours even at the full-time whistle.
Hashtag United equalled their best-ever competition run, beating Brentwood in a tense Essex derby at the Len Salmon Stadium.
Andy Freeman’s late own goal powered Hashtag into the second round of qualifying after a largely even contest, with Brentwood’s chances of a late leveller dented by a late red card for Matthew Price.
Another Essex-based side to progress were Billericay, who eased their way to a 7-0 triumph over Stowmarket Town, while Halesowen overcame Rugby Borough by the same scoreline.Through to the second round qualifying 💪@hashtagutd have equalled their best-ever #EmiratesFACup run #️⃣ pic.twitter.com/YmGPvWAC0m
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) September 2, 2023
Merthyr Town ran out convincing 5-1 winners versus Yate Town, Canvey Island beat Lowestoft by the same scoreline, while Sudbury were comfortable 5-0 victors against Mildenhall.
Ramsgate also impressed with a 5-1 win over Chatham Town, though it was a much tougher affair for Bristol Manor Farm, who nearly spurned a three-goal lead as they saw off Bishops Cleeve 3-2.
Meanwhile, Prescot Cables edged out North Ferriby in a six-goal battle to seal their place in round two of qualifying, while Marske and Needham Market picked up 3-0 triumphs over Ossett United and FC Romania respectively.
