Only one remains as teams bow out of FA Trophy

Basford United suffered their first defeat in nine as they were beaten 3-2 away at Peterborough Sports.

Ryan Wilson and Kane Richards had given the visitors the lead at half-time either side of Dion Sembie-Ferris’ strike before Mark Jones levelled with a header midway through the second half.

Jordan Nicholson then completed the turn-around only three minutes later as Richards was dismissed late on with a rash tackle to compound a miserable afternoon in Cambridgeshire for the United.

Manager Steve Chettle said: ‘We’re all disappointed that we’ve gone out the Trophy. We could have gone to the fourth round for the first time in the Club’s history, but we haven’t and that’s what hurts.

“Second half we weren’t great. First half we probably edged it a little bit and the score reflected that but, in the end, there wasn’t enough quality or aggression in the middle or in the top third of the pitch and we completely lacked that today.

“Saying that we’ve won our last eight on the bounce and we’re happy with that, even if we are disappointed after this loss. We have to react now, start all over again and remain positive by trying to keep our standards as high as we can.”

Ashton United suffered a similar fate to Basford, as they squandered a half-time advantage to lose at home to Kettering Town.

Louis Almond’s 36th minute penalty had given them the lead, only for two goals in five second half minutes from De-Carrey Sheriff and Connor Kennedy to turn the game around for the visitors.

Nantwich Town welcomed 433 fans to the Weaver Stadium for their tie at home to Hereford.

Lenell John-Lewis scored the only goal of the game on 67 minutes to end the Dabbers’ run in the competition.

Morpeth Town were beaten 3-0 at home by Notts County, who took the lead on five minutes through Elisha Sam, and made the game safe in six minutes either side of the hour mark through Samuel Graham and James Knowles.


Stamford had received a bye through the third round having been paired with Macclesfield Town, who of course withdrew from the competition on the eve of the season.

They are likely to be the lowest ranked side left in the competition, as the only step four side through - although they could be joined by Maldon & Tiptree and Frome Town, who play their third round ties against Gloucester City and Maidstone United respectively on Tuesday night.

The fourth round, which is the last 32 of the competition, is due to take place on Saturday January 16.

Photo courtesy of Craig Lamont