FA Trophy action review

Saturday’s FA Trophy Preliminary Round saw few ‘upsets’ as many of the teams involved play at the same level, writes Pitchero’s Steve Whitney.

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South side Kidsgrove Athletic won 4-1 at home to Evo-Stik Southern Central outfit Daventry Town, courtesy of goals from Craig Dove, Ashley Hill, Liam Shotton and John Johnston.

Grove’s league rivals Rainworth Miners Welfare saw off another Evo-Stik Southern Central side. Leighton Town were beaten 3-0 at home with Ian Holmes' spot-kick followed by efforts from Ben Spargo and Holmes again.

Romulus saw off Evo-Stik NPL First Division South rivals Mickleover Sports 3-0 away from home, with Dan O'Callaghan bagging a brace. Two more Evo-Stik NPL South rivals, Loughborough Dynamo and Belper Town, met in Leicestershire with the visiting Nailers edging a seven-goal thriller. Goals from Simon Harrison, Jordan Ball with two and Richard Stirrup, outscored Jake Betts, Louis Hamilton and David Blenkinsopp's penalty for Dynamo.

There was joy for Evo-Stik NPL First Division North over South as Gary Stopforth’s 54th minute penalty earned Ramsbottom United their passage at Brigg Town. But there was a minor surprise at Station View where Evo-Stik NPL First Division South strugglers Harrogate Railway won 2-1 against Evo-Stik NPL North Bamber Bridge.

Steve Settle gave them a 53rd minute lead that the hosts' Nathan Cartman and Pat McGuire turned over in the 66th and 72nd minute respectively.

Evo-Stik NPL First Division North high-riders Skelmersdale United eased past league rivals Salford City 4-2, although the visitors did lead 2-1 at one stage before Paul Woolcott, Anthony Hickey from the spot and Kenny Strickland won it for Skem.

Kenny Charlton scored twice as Evo-Stik Evo-Stik NPL South Leek Town won 2-1 at Evo-Stik NPL North Warrington Town, and Michael Oates and Paul Ashton scored the goals in a 2-0 win that reversed the trend at Trafford against Sheffield FC.

And Chris Keogh’s departure from Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Sutton Coldfield Town didn’t help as they went down to a Marc Goodfellow goal for league rivals Gresley FC at Coles Lane.

Seven Evo-Stik NPL sides are involved in replays this week. Monday night sees Curzon Ashton take on Goole AFC with three games on Tuesday - Clitheroe versus Northwich Victoria, Halesowen Town versus Biggleswade Town and Radcliffe Borough versus Farsley FC.