Farms new man Kyle Tooze lively opening half began after just 2 minutes, a spillage from the visiting keeper was seized upon by Aron Robbins whose cut back found the big man, but he sliced high and wide. Welton were looking lively too, a few minutes after a long range strike dropped narrowly wide, they were ahead. Some penalty box pinball eventually fell to Charles who slid his side in front. Thankfully for the home side, the setback woke them up and they levelled in the 20th minute. Tooze played through and he shrugged off a challenge before rounding the keeper and finding the empty net. Not long after the quick turnaround was complete, a cleverly worked short corner involving Jamie Bird and Marcus Day and the latters dropped shoulder and low cross was turned in by a visiting defender. Day was enjoying himself after the half hour, another wonderful run left defenders grabbing at thin air before another low cross was swept over by Bird. Tooze completed a fine first half just before the whistle, a carbon copy of his first and he sprung the offside trap again, held off another defender, once again rounded the hapless keeper and tucked home despite a much tighter angle.

Tooze had the first chance of the second half too, collecting a superb pass from fellow new boy Jayden Nielson, before seeing his dinked effort well saved. He then exchanged chances with Day, the latter volleying wide at the near post before the former slashed over after cutting inside. Bird was next to be frustrated, firing over twice before a Tooze cross was too heavy as he waited by the unmarked net. Farm finally added gloss just after the hour, Tooze completing a superb hat-trick after once again leaving the keeper on the floor before a dropped shoulder on a covering defender allowed him to tuck into the empty net once again. The visitors had barely kicked off before they conceded their fifth. Tooze inevitably involved once more, a cute weighted pass found substitute Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist, who got the better of the keeper with his stabbed effort and via the post, it was 5. The linesman flag put pay to what looked sure to be several more goals as Farm toyed with Welton before the refs whistle ended a throughly dominant friendly performance.

Star man – Jayden Nielson

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Farm started brightly and broke the deadlock with their first real surge on the Thatcham box, a short corner was worked back to Marcus Day who drew a clumsy challenge and the referee had no hesitation. Jamie Adams, fresh from his penalty last time out, converted with a straight forward drill down the middle. Farm kept coming, a recycled set piece was crossed in and Kingdon headed just wide. Their next chance came from another cross, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist shaping for Mike Bryant who was denied by a flying save from home stopper George Legg. Thatcham finally woke themselves up and should have levelled after 20 minutes, Jamal Branker put it across and Conor Lynch somehow contrived to turn the ball wide. The home side would equalise a few minutes later, Lynch eventually flicking home following a long lofted cross. Farm gained back control of the game at the latter end of the half, Leigh-Gilchrist with a beautiful backheel flick that Legg had to tip over. The games crucial decision came on half time, a farm shot was judged to be blocked by a Thatcham hand and Legg was given his marching orders for what appeared to be dissent. Adams stepped up again and converted his second spot kick of the evening.

Farm went searching for the killer blow early in the half but found substitute keeper Yashwa Romeu a capable replacement. He made 2 early saves in the second half, first from Aron Robbins who was cleverely worked through on his overlap and then from Spencer who slalomed through 4 challenges but could only stab a tame shot goalwards. Thatcham were still carrying a threat despite the player disadvantage, Jordan Alves let fly from 25 yards which debutant Farm keeper Chris Humphries tipped wide. Farm were holding firm, a superb defensive clearance from Kingdon preserved the lead and then Bird was denied brilliantly by Romeu after he picked a defenders pocket and ran through. Farm looked nervous as the game ticked on, a few hairy moments sliced clearances nearly dropped to the home side but they kept finding a way to clear, even when they were breached, Humphries was on hand to make a smart save down low before the referee blew for a big three points.

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Farm’s evening of sloppy defensive work began in the first minute, losing the ball from their own throw and cut wide open, allowing Ollie Palmer to get free down the left and cooly put the hosts ahead. Farm went for an immediate reply and nearly got one after 5 minutes, a well worked cross field move led to Marcus Day trickery before his shot was saved by Pryce and Dan Spencer’s rebound was well blocked. Farm were giving a debut to defender Sam Boulton and he won a flick from centre back partner Steve Kingdon’s long throw which could easily have dropped in at the back post. Farm would get their equaliser on the half hour, Boulton again winning a header well and he was adjudged to be pushed and a penalty was awarded. Skipper Jamie Adams calmly converted to level things up. Farm then had two incredible tackles to thank for going into the break level, first Boulton slid in last ditch to stop a certain goal before Kingdon slid in to block just as Balmer was about to get his second.

The second half’s early stages were dominated by Farm but they were caught cold on the break again. After a suspect looking backpass went unnoticed, Winchester broke in numbers and right back Josh McCormick found himself with acres of space to fire in low and find the far corner. Farm battled back in, almost levelling when another dangerous long throw dropped to Jamie Turner who swivelled and fired at goal but it was beaten away by Pryce. Farm would level just after the hour, another superbly worked move led to Bryant firing at goal and despite being repelled by Pryce again, Spencer followed in to level the game for a second time. Both teams were looking to win it, Marcus Day with more dancing footwork but his shot dragged wide. Ultimately it was another poor goal to concede that snatched the points for the home side, one ball over the top found Balmer who got in between Turner and Rees before chopping inside and smashing his finish. Farm would push for a share of the spoils but the closest they came was through Adams who got a toe to a late low cross but could only poke wide.

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Farm started much the better side, the lively Dan Spencer carrying most of the fight and it was him who had the games first chance, fashioning his own space but lashing over the bar. Lewis Bamford was next to try his luck, exchanging neat passes with Ashmead but his near post effort found the side netting. Lucas Vowles sadly pulled up after a quarter of the game but not before he collected an aerial ball beautifully before only being able to drag the ball wide. It took the home side half an hour to get into the game, an inch denied them the opener with this first attempt, Jack Rice with a superb effort that crashed off the very inside of the post with Farm keeper Luc Rees well beaten. Despite a superb recovery tackle by Steve Kingdon denying Willand their next chance, they would eventually lead against the run of the play a few minutes after Alfie Moulden finished well after his first shot was blocked.

Spencer, like the first was involved in Farms first second half chance, collecting from the probing run of Leigh-Gilchrist but only able to slice his shot narrowly over. Leigh-Gilchrist was now operating more centrally and looking much more threatening. He played a superb pass out to Bamford, who returned the favour but it was over once more. Then Leigh-Gilchrist was on set piece duties, his superb corner found Kingdon whose near post header was brilliantly saved, but the pressure would tell, another perfect corner delivery found the unmarked Bamford who headed home with the keeper stranded. His other dead ball party piece was direct free kicks, his wonderful curler had the keeper routed but the ball cannoned off the post. Farm kept coming but Willand nearly retook the lead on the counter. Mani Skett evaded the offside calls but his lofted header was hacked from the line by Jamie Turner. Spencer, in keeping with his tried and tested cut in and shoot method, his latter unfortunately found the high street. The game had settled with neither creating meaningful chances, home sub David Steel finding Luc Rees before a scramble deep in Farm territory eventually fell to Douglas Camello who finished at the death. Farm would have a couple more chances to force another penalty shootout but Mike Searle saved well before a wide free kick was flapped at by Searle but Jamie Turner somehow fired over. Farm would be robbed of a chance to equalise in the last minute, a beautiful cross was punched away from goal by a defender and the referee somehow waved play on and Willand were through.

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The hosts gave a league advantage to the visitors and frantic first half began with a host of early chances, first Tom Phipp’s audacious effort for Cray hit the post then Ben John had to be alert to stop another effort from Ben Mundele. The breakthrough would come in the first ten minutes, neat work between Murrell-Williamson and Mundele led to the latter bending past John to put the visitors 1 up. Farm then had the perfect chance to level up instantly, skipper Jay Adams played Lucas Vowles through but after neatly rounding the keeper, he was unable to dig the ball out from his feet and find the empty net. Like in Farm’s previous game, the miss would haunt them barely a minute later. Freddie Parker with a perfect free kick for the visitors to double their lead. This time Farm were able to find a instant response, a loose pass from the away keeper went straight to Marcus Day who beat 3 Cray defenders before firing Farm back in it. Farm were really pushing as the half settled and did have the ball in the net again, but away defender Jay Leader was spared an own goal by an earlier offside flag. Vowles and Day were linking beautifully and then played a couple of one twos before Day recieved inside the box and he twisted and turned before seeing his low effort blocked wide. Cray won another free kick to relieve pressure and another swerving Parker effort was saved by John before he brilliant denied Joseph Taylor on the point blank rebound. Then chaos ended the half, Cray made it 3-1 through Parker before a complete goalmouth melee led to red cards for Farm keeper Ben John and Cray forward Mundele.

10 man Farm found the perfect response minutes into the second half, Vowles perfect touch led to him shooting and the defenders diversion looped the ball over Carey and Mike Bryant acrobatically flicked home on the line. It was all Farm after the hour, Day’s trickery beat 3 men before his cross was cleared and then Vowles forced another diving save from Carey minutes later. From that corner, Steve Kingdon won the header but Vowles couldn’t convert from in front or the visiting stopper. Farm did deservedly level in the 70th minute and it was a moment of magic. Lucas Vowles winning a battle against 2 Cray defenders before his superb curling effort nestled in the corner to level the tie and send the home fans wild on the far side of the Creek. Both sides were trying to win it late on, Murrell-Williams with neat footwork and link up for Cray but substitute Luc Rees saved well before the counter saw Day’s effort loop to Bryant again and his 20 yard volley drifted wide. Vowles then was inches away from connecting from point blank range following another Day cross but it was superbly flicked away from his waiting dive. As the clock ticked to the last 5 minutes, an outstanding back post defensive header from Stuart Tovey preserved the tie before two late saves by Rees sent it to penalties.

Despite Cray’s first spot-kick being saved, Farm missed their first two giving the visitors the advantage and even back to back successes by Adams and Bird, Cray sealed the tie in off the bar to deny Farm their first ever ticket to the final qualifying round.

MOTM – Marcus Day

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Totton started the game on the front foot and had the games first effort with barely 40 seconds on the clock, Jack Masterson driving forward unopposed and his effort from distance was beaten away by Ben John. Farms first chance fell to Marcus Day but his speculative free kick was held by Lewis Noice. The end to end was frantic after 10 minutes, first Farm got in to a great position in a 3 v 2 but a few sloppy passes and touches eventually forced Lewis Bamford wide and he could only find the home keeper. Barely 20 seconds later it was back to heroics from John in the Farm goal as Brett Willams was in but he was denied. The home side would get the breakthrough after a quarter of the game, George Colson allowed to travel down the right and his ball in led to some penalty box pinball with the ball eventually falling kindly to Ethan Taylor who couldn’t miss. The half hour mark saw the games defining moment, Lucas Vowles seized on a short back pass but after his tame effort was saved, Totton broke in numbers and Williams swept home to double the home sides lead. Day was a constant threat for the visitors and he was involved in two chances for Farm to get back in it, first his drilled free kick from wide somehow evaded every yellow shirt and then he dropped his shoulder superbly but his curling effort was held by Noice. As the fourth official held up for one additional minute, Totton broke again and killed the game, Silvana Obeng leading the counter before the ball sat up for Williams who crashed a superb volley to get his second.

The home side came out hungry for more and had two half chances to add more gloss to the scoreline. First Liam Robinson drove forward and hit a shot that John was at full stretch to tip wide and then the keepers only poor clearance fell to Fred Read who attempted the chip from 40 yards but John redeemed himself with an acrobatic tip over. After the hour Farm were in full control, their best chance coming again from Day, his trickery and low cross was turned towards goal by Mike Bryant but Noice spread himself well before Vowles saw his own goal bound effort blocked on the line. The home side were always dangerous on the counter, the ever impressive Williams chased his own touch through before being brought down by John who once again redeemed himself, brilliantly down to save the resulting free kick from creeping in the far corner. Substitute Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist was making a real difference in attack, he was involved three times in a counter with the latter touch only able to drag wide. Farm to their credit kept going deep into the game, Mason Winter ending a lovely patient build up before stinging the keepers hands and then Jay Adams recycled the ball from a deep corner before finding Day who dipped inside but once again could only find the comfortable hands of Noice.

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Despite being two goals behind it was Manor Farm with head in hands as a totally dominant second half only earned them a share of the spoils as they hosted Barnstaple Town.

After a pretty dire 10 minutes the game sprung to life at both ends, first Billy Hopcraft judged the bounce better than his Farm counterparts but was denied by the sweeping Ben John and then Lucas Vowles turned smartly after a swift counter attack but his goal bound effort deflected wide. The visitors were giving up the majority of possession but capitalising on errors and space and it was this that led to their opener, Theo Ofori latching on to a loose ball and rounding John before defeating a narrow angle to find a smart finish. It was nearly 2 a minute later, Hopcroft crashing off the bar from distance and the rebound was put over. Barnstaple keeper dealt with a tame free kick from Marcus Day and then 5 minutes later his side doubled their advantage, a flowing move falling to Hopcroft who rifled home an unstoppable effort. Farm finally woke up and were creating chances, Vowles and Lewis Bamford missing decent chances before a wondeful move right on the stroke of half time got them back in the game. Mason Winter finding Tyler Ashmead whose clever cut back found Day who faked inside and placed a wondeful finish in the far corner.

Farm should have been level minutes into the second half, Mike Bryant sliding in after a spillage by keeper Adam Evans but was rather unfairly denied by the awarding of a free kick. Farm were deservedly level after 52 minutes, a succession of corners finally led to another goalmouth scramble and the linesman flagging the ball has crossed the line, I think every single Farm attacker claimed it but I’m not sure we’ll ever know! Farm were really pushing now, Day with another clever fake shot before unleashing an effort that was superbly blocked. On the hour mark they were somehow still level, Ashmead again with a lovely run and cut back but Bamford lashed wildly over. Winter was next to go close, another free-kick in a promising position but his low effort was well saved. Despite absolute dominance it was the visitors who nearly went ahead in the 70th minute. Ofiri weaved in and out but bent his effort wide. The onslaught then continued, a stunning tackle from Bryant led to a loose ball falling to Winter who could only fire over. As the game ticked to 80 Farm kept coming, Day with more majestic footwork had him leave 3 men for dead but his shot was well blocked. Next was Vowles who turned sharply but couldn’t find Bryant at the far post. Barnstaple couldn’t even resist troubling their own goal, Evans errant punch nearly dropping in at his back post under pressure from Bamford. Farm then had momentum halted with a red card with minutes to play, the ref failing to punish a visiting forward for a dive before he hit the floor again with extra theatrics following a push from Winter, which saw the Farm man sent off. Farm would still push the visitors back but a looping Jamie Turner header sailed just wide at the last.

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Both Farm and their hosts Kidlington had pulled off higher league scalps to get to this round and it was the visitors who had the lions share of the first half, having the first effort of the game as centre back Steve Kingdon drove forward and let fly from 30 yards which home stopper Christian Lawrence gathered at the second attempt. The hosts only real chance of the opening exchanges fell to Jacob Davidge who seized on some sloppy passing but could only fire wide. Farm were giving a debut to exciting youngster Marcus Day and he nearly marked the occasion with a goal, a superb one two with Lucas Vowles and his own neat footwork got him inside the box but his low shot was well saved. Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist was next to try his luck, more slick passing was worked to his feet but he sliced his shot wide. Kidlington then had an outstanding piece of defending to thank for staying level, Kingdons header back across was about to be snapped up by Vowles but Daniel West hooked the ball away in the nick of time. The Farm onslaught continued, first Lawrence was alert to deny Jamie Turners header from point black range before the visitors deservedly led. Day with some magical footwork allowing him to hang a cross that was headed down by Stuart Tovey and Mike Bryant turned it home, but im not even sure even he knows how!

The home side made a perfect start to the second half, a swift counter attack down the left with Billy Gillett feeding Steve Robertson who smashed home to level the tie. Farm didnt let their heads drop and continued to largely control the game, their first attack of the half eventually fell to Mike Bryant who went for the spectacular but couldn’t hit the target. Day, involved in mostly all Farm attacks in his first outing, was then denied by successful blocks following good work from substitute Lewis Bamford. Kingdon was a constant threat in the set price for Farm, first heading wide under pressure at the back post and then crashing another header just over as he escaped his marker from a Leigh-Gilchrist corner. Farm would create one final chance to go through in 90 minutes. Lucas Vowles found from another superb corner but his header was cleared off the line by home midfielder Thomas Moore.

After 12 successful penalties from the likes of Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist and Steve Kingdon, Kidlington were handed a golden chance to win it during sudden death as Jamie Turner placed his penalty high and wide but Steve Robertson was denied a chance of heroics by on loan Farm keeper Luc Rees. Tyler Ashmeads emphatic spot-kick then left the home side needing to score but back to back saves from teenage stopper Rees, made him a hero, put Farm in the hat and led to away side delirium in the far corner.

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Both sides came into the game after recording their first league wins at the weekend and a frantic opening 7 minutes was finally brought to life with a moment of sheer magic. A few minutes after a superb last ditch challenge from farm full back Tyler Ashmead kept farm level, Lucas Vowles collected a long ball down the channel and crashed a dipping half volley in the far corner from just wide of the penalty area. Vowles would get his 2nd of the evening and 4th in two games after 20 minutes. Lewis Bamford winning a penalty after a moment of madness from home keeper Lewis Adams, before Vowles cooly slotted home. Farm pushed on and looked very in control until a contentious evening up of first half spot kicks. Johan Flo skipped past a Jamie Turner tackle and despite not going down or appealing for a foul, the referee pointed to the spot. After calming of the protests, Danny King sent debutant keeper Luc Rees the wrong way. Slimbridge would have a chance to equalise straight after, King again seizing on some sloppy play before drilling just wide. The penalty drama wasn’t done for the first half as another clumsy Adams challenge on Vowles led to the striker being honest enough to stay on his feet but was denied a chance to complete his hat trick by the referee waving away the protests.

Like the first, Vowles had the opening chance of the second half, spotting Adams off his line but seeing his chip sail over. His next chance to complete an ever more likely hat trick came 5 minutes later, possibly ignoring better options in Leigh-Gilchrist and Winter, he drove forward and unleashed a fierce drive that was superbly tipped wide by Adams. The home side finally got themselves going, King again weaving in and out before his near post effort was beaten away by Rees. The on loan Forest Green keeper was having a fine debut in the sticks for Farm, being alert a number of times to sweep up potential changes and claiming some difficult crosses under pressure. At the other end Adams busy evening was continuing, somehow escaping punishment for a kick at Lewis Bamford who was disrupting his clearance. Vowles was again involved as the clock ticked to 80, collecting a superb Jay Adams pass but only drilling straight at the keeper. Farm then had their defence to thank for staying ahead, a loose ball was chased by King but a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Jamie Turner. Bamford had another effort just wide before Vowles sealed the game and his hat trick in style. A wonderful ball down the line from Winter found Ashmead whose low cross found the forward, and his superb spin was matched only by his wonderful finish.

Star man – Lucas Vowles

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The visitors bristled brightly after kick-off and Josh Dempsey, deputising in goal for Ben John, sidelined through suspension, had to come out smartly and collect after five minutes.

The home side went one up in the thirteenth minute when Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist played an exquisite one-two with Lewis Bamford on the edge of the box before holding off his marker to slot coolly home past Connor Johns.

The visitors equalised in the 25th minute when following a quick break down the right Callum McGhee-Parsons was on hand to smash home from close range.

A minute later Farm’s lead was nearly restored when full back Tyler Ashmead went on a brilliant run down the right, beating several opponents and getting off a fierce goal-bound strike in the penalty area which Johns just got his fists to, sending the ball flying over the bar for a corner.

Manor Farm did then retake the lead just minutes later when Vowles latched onto a defensive error before running on and tucking the ball underneath the advancing Johns.

Highworth pulled level for the second time shortly after the break when, similarly, Ashley Edenborough took advantage of some loose defensive play to tap the loose ball home from six yards out.

There was a big shout for a Manor Farm penalty shortly afterwards when Bamford bustled into the penalty area and a Highworth defender appeared to have handled the ball whilst on the ground but the referee waved the frantic appeals away.

There wasn’t much between the two teams until the final quarter of an hour when Manor Farm began digging deep for the victory. Vowles had a decent effort cleared off the line by Matt Grabe and Highworth then briefly threatened but were denied by a superbly timed tackle by skipper Jay Adams deep in his own penalty area.

With four minutes to play Bamford was brought down 22 yards out after a typically mazy and industrious run. The resultant free-kick, sweetly struck by Leigh-Gilchrist from a central position, was tipped onto the bar and over by Johns.

From the corner kick, centre-half Jamie Turner almost clinched the three points with a near-post flicked header that whistled just narrowly over.

With time ticking away Steve Kingdon launched a long throw into a crowded box and Vowles, with his back to goal, produced the cheekiest of back heel flicks that beat Connor and everyone else to nestle in the far corner. The home crowd went wild with delight as Manor Farm squeezed home by the narrowest of margins to register their first win of the new season.

STAR MAN (Mike Bryant, Bristol Manor Farm)

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