Saturday's FA Trophy action review

All in all it was a decent day for Evo-Stik Northern Premier League clubs in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South side Chasetown, who are more used to producing FA Cup upsets, went through at The Scholars against higher grade St Neots Town from the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division.

Gary Hay gave the home side a tenth minute lead that Simon Brown doubled from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

Brown added a third 8 minutes after half-time, but a few nerve ends were tested as the Saints pulled two goals back through Dan Jacob and Ollie Thorne in the final 18 minutes, but the Scholars held on to their `shock` win.

Unbeaten Evo-Stik NPL First Division South leaders Coalville Town made no mistake as they won 5-0 at Sharpenhoe Road against Evo-Stik Southern Division One Central hosts Barton Rovers.

It was virtually all over by the 23rd minute as the Ravens found themselves 4-0 up with goals from Cameron Stuart from the spot after just two minutes, Jerome Murdoch eight minutes later, Ryan Robbins four minutes after that and then Lewis Dodd, who made it nap 12 minutes from time.

Also winning against outside opposition were Hednesford Town, Nantwich Town, Rushall Olympic, Ilkeston FC and King's Lynn Town.

The Pitmen beat Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division Bedworth United at Keys Park, taking an early lead when left-winger Nathan Woolfe scored after just three minutes play.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, substitute Aaron Donaldson raised the Greenbacks hopes with a stunning strike to equalise just three minutes into the second half.

But Hednesford roared back to regain the lead within two minutes when central defender Ben Bailey headed in at the far post from a corner, and the Pitmen made sure of progressing to the next round when midfielder Elliott Durrell fired their third goal from close range in the 66th minute.

Nantwich were also triumphant against opponents from the Evo-Stik Southern Premier, Redditch United, winning 2-1 at the Weaver Stadium where Christian Smith gave the Dabbers a 21st minute lead.

An Aaron Stringfellow own goal doubled their lead just past the hour-mark and they held on, despite Will Richards' reply for the Reds on 71 minutes.

Rushall Olympic eased through 3-0 against Evo-Stik Southern Division One Central strugglers Woodford United.

Woodford United in which Ahmed Obeng bagged a brace as all three goals arrived during the second period. During a goalless first half the hosts failed to make their possession count against the struggling Northamptonshire outfit as Ahmed Obeng, Lei Brown, Josh Craddock and Kyle Haynes all had opportunities to open the Pics account.

The opening goal arrived in the 57th minute when a good through ball picked out the run of Obeng, who cut inside and homed in on goal and applied a great finish from the edge of the box inside the near post.

Ten minutes later a stunning second goal from Obeng doubled Rushall's advantage and effectively sealed their progression into the next round.

And in the second minute of injury-time Olympic added a flourish to the final score line as Dan Bragoli delivered a telling centre from the left channel that was met by substitute Andre Landell, who planted a firm header just inside the far post from 12 yards.

A goal from Jamie Reid six minutes after half-time earned Premier Division Ilkeston FC their passage at the expense of Evo-Stik Southern Premier hosts Stourbridge.

A fine display from NPL First Division South side King's Lynn Town saw them knock Southern Premier Barwell out of the competition.

Lynn keeper Alex Street saved Jamie Towers' first half penalty - and then his re-taken spot-kick after Lynn's keeper was deemed to have come off his line to make the save - to keep the Linnets level.

And Jason Turner reaped the rewards after 68 minutes by coolly rounding the advancing Barwell keeper Liam Castle to roll the ball home from a tight angle from the edge of the box to seal Lynn's passage into the next round.

The only side definitely out against outside opposition are Evo-Stik NPL First Division South outfit Grantham Town, who were beaten 2-0 at The Meres by Evo-Stik Southern Premier Bedford Town, for whom Mark Bell after 12 minutes and Jamie Ivy just after half-time were the scorers.

Two Evo-Stik NPL sides having to replay against outside opponents are Premier Division Stafford Rangers, who were held 1-1 at Butlin Road by Evo-Stik Southern Division One Central side Rugby Town, whose Fazel Koriya gave them a 29th minute lead than Jimmy Turner cancelled out after 53 minutes, and Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Belper Town, who mounted a great comeback to earn a second go at Evo-Stik Southern Premier promotion-chasers Leamington.

Leamington had led 2-0 with goals from Tom Berwick after 36 minutes and Stephan Morley a minute before half-time. But the Nailers bounced back with Andrew Siribour on 58 minutes and Ashley Longstaff 20 minutes from time earning a replay at the New Windmill.

Causing upsets in internal Evo-Stik NPL ties were Evo-Stik NPL First Division North side Ossett Town, who ousted Premier Division Ashton United, courtesy of a 13th minute Shane Kelsey goal at Ingfield.

Ossett's league rivals New Mills also saw off Evo-Stik Premier Division opposition on their own patch, with strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels going down to a 3-2 defeat in which Carlos Meakin bagged a brace for the Millers in the opening five minutes.

Steels recovered from that terrible start to eventually pull back on terms through Danny South on 35 minutes and then a Brett Bowden-Lovell penalty ten minutes from time. However, Jay Burgess won it for the Millers two minutes from time.

Most of the other ties went to reasonably to form, although Evo-Stik Premier Division FC United of Manchester won't fancy their replay at Seel Park after a thrilling 3-3 draw at Gigg Lane against Evo-Stik First Division North leaders Mossley.

But they'll probably take it as they were 3-0 down to goals from Kayde Coppin in the 16th and 33rd minute – a penalty – and Ashley Young on 61 minutes. A Chris Amadi brace in the 73rd and 78th minutes got the Reds back into the game before Jerome Wright struck 3 minutes from time to ensure that the two sides must meet again in midweek.

And considering their respective positions in the Premier Division table, Whitby Town's 3-1 win at Victory Park against Chorley could be deemed a 'surprise'.

Steve Snaith was the Seasiders' hero, bagging a double in the seventh and 82nd minute after John Cunliffe had equalised for the Magpies after 35 minutes – Shane Henry adding a third at the end.

Witton Albion – former finalists – eased through 4-1 at Wincham Park against Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals Blyth Spartans with Shaun Tuck scoring twice after Anthony Sheehan and Matt Wood had given them a 2-0 lead, while North Ferriby United also won their all-Premier Division encounter at Frickley Athletic, whose in-form Gavin Allott gave them a 31st minute lead from the spot.

But Ferriby fought back with goals from Ryan Williams – also from the spot – seven minutes later and then goals in the final four minutes from Nathan Peat, Gary Bradshaw and Jon Muldoon.

Matlock Town also won away at Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals in strugglers Eastwood Town, whose Tyeisse Nightingale gave them a 17th minute lead that Lewis McMahon and Massiah McDonald cancelled out in the 25th and 76th minute respectively.

And Michael Barnes' 76th minute effort sealed AFC Fylde's progress into the next round at home to Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals Marine.

Evo-Stik NPL First Division North side Cammell Laird held Premier Division Kendal Town to a 1-1 draw in which Michael Grogan gave the home side a seventh minute lead that Scott Harries levelled on 63 minutes.

Liam Caddick bagged a brace as Burscough beat First Division North basement rivals Wakefield 3-2, while another all-First Division North tie went to form as Trafford won 4-2 at Harrogate Railway.

Evo-Stik First Division South Hucknall Town are through after beating league rivals Newcastle Town 2-1 at Watnall Road, courtesy of Alex Ford and Ben Good, and South beat North at Harrison Park where Leek Town won 2-1 against Radcliffe Borough with goals from Matty Haddrell and Karl Charlton.

It was reversed at Ramsbottom United, however, as they beat former Trophy winners Northwich Victoria 4-2 in which Jon Robinson scored twice for Rammy.

Skelmersdale United won 3-0 at Evo-Stik First Division North rivals Prescot Cables – Anthony Hickey was on target twice – and Stamford AFC beat Evo-Stik First Division South rivals Kidsgrove Athletic 3-1 at home with Jordan Smith also netting two.