AIDAN Neal’s hat-trick guided Birstall United into the second round of the FA Vase for the first time this century.
The Division One outfit had two leads wiped out but kept netting to beat Bewdley Town 5-2, ensuring they are among the 11 MFL sides guaranteed to be in Monday’s draw.
Neal and Nick Reeves both saw efforts cancelled out by Elliott Lees within the opening half an hour but Jack Astill put Birstall in front again four minutes before half-time with Neal’s second providing breathing space just ahead of the interval.
Neal completed his treble on the hour to seal the deal.
Lye Town endured late nerves after missing a hatful of first-half chances but still progressed with a 2-1 win at Anstey Town.
Alfie Didlock was denied from point-blank range, Luke Sidaway twice went close and Jack Till had efforts creep past the post and beaten away within the opening 16 minutes.
It was full-back Danny Cartwight who showed the way to goal, pouncing on a clearance to fire in through the crowd on 23 minutes.
Didlock then scuffed when well placed, Alfie Steward was denied by Anstey keeper Luis Parry, Till failed to connect in front of an open goal, Didlock was denied one-on-one and Martin Slevin walloped the post with a free-kick before the other full-back Elliott Ball put away Lye’s second high into the net on the stroke of half-time.
Anstey improved and edged the second-half chances but Szym Donnerstag’s low drive under pressure three minutes into stoppage time was too little too late.
Cheadle Town eventually beat Whickham 4-1 in a tie delayed by more than an hour due to a head injury sustained by visiting player Malachi Ray-Tharpe.
Play was paused after 25 minutes with Cody Artwell’s header late in the first half handing Cheadle the initiative once the action got back underway.
Favour Ekomemen levelled it but Ethan Padden quickly restored Town’s lead with Terence Benson-Brewer’s two in a three-minute spell late on sealing victory.
It has since been confirmed by Whickham that Ray-Tharpe has been discharged from hospital with no major injuries. All at the MFL wish him a speedy recovery.
Five goals in 26 second-half minutes saw Brocton breeze past Pinxton 5-0, hotshot Reg Smith getting the ball rolling shortly after half-time with Jake Thomas, Kenny Devoir, Smith and Jed Davies completing the rout.
Second-half set-piece goals from Matt Ward and Sam Finney saw Abbey Hulton United through 2-0 at Whitchurch Alport, while Sutton United won 2-0 at Irchester United.
Ryan Nesbitt’s put the Green Army in front in the first half with Jayden Hunter’s finish on the break, moments after Irchester had hit the post, confirming Sutton’s progress.
Late goals from Reece Hookway and Jack Beasley were not enough to prevent AFC North Kilworth from bowing out in a 5-2 defeat to Ludlow Town, while Kirby Muxloe exited with a 1-0 loss at home to Harrowby United.
West Didsbury & Chorlton, Winsford United, Gornal Athletic, Heather St John’s and GNG Oadby Town are also in Monday’s draw having received byes to round two by getting to the last 32 or further last season.
Northwich Victoria will hope to make it 12 MFL sides in the hat when hosting Retford United at Runcorn Linnets tomorrow (Sunday, 3pm).
RESULTS
FA Vase, round one
AFC North Kilworth 2-5 Ludlow Town
Anstey Town 1-2 Lye Town
Birstall United 5-2 Bewdley Town
Cheadle Town 4-1 Whickham
Irchester United 0-2 Sutton United
Kirby Muxloe 0-1 Harrowby United
Pinxton 0-5 Brocton
Whitchurch Alport 0-2 Abbey Hulton United
Sunday – Northwich Victoria v Retford United
