SANDHURST Town reached the first round of the FA Vase after overcoming Ringwood Town 2-1 in the second qualifying round at Bottom Meadow on Saturday.

The hosts made a fine start and took an eighth-minute lead after Adam Barnard pushed the ball through to Kylo Atkinson who, in turn, relayed it to Charlie Oakley who struck the ball beyond keeper, Trevor Ford.

The Fizzers doubled their advantage when Oakley grabbed his second with a long shot.

Things could have got even better for Sandhurst when they were awarded a free-kick, but Dan Gosling’s effort went just wide of the post with the ‘keeper beaten.

Ringwood began the second half more purposefully, and Matt Steer struck the side-netting from an acute angle after cutting in from the wing.

The Fizzers missed an opportunity to put the game to bed when Barnard failed to convert an Atkinson assist, while the latter then blazed over from six yards out.

Oakley was twice denied a hat-trick by Ford, but Ringwood ensured some late nerves by pulling a goal back.

However, Sandhurst were able to hold on, and advance to a long trip to Plymouth Parkway on Saturday, October 21.

Sandhurst Town are due to visit Thame Rangers in the first round of the Perpetua Press Fllodlit Cup this evening (Wednesday, 7.45pm).

  • COMBINED Counties League Division One leaders Eversley & California lost for only the second time this season when they were edged out 5-4 by second-placed Worcester Park in a thrilling encounter on Saturday.

The Boars fell behind inside two minutes, only for Ryan Whyte to level midway through the half.

A Lewis Robson brace moved the hosts 3-1 up at half time, but Worcester Park stormed back by scoring four unanswered goals, and Joseph Pantony’s effort proved to be merely a consolation for the Boars.

In a bad week for Eversley & California, they were also dumped out of the Hampshire Senior Cup following a 5-4 penalty shoot-out loss at Alresford Town last Wednesday, the sides drawing 3-3 in normal time.

Brad Brown scored twice with Adam Aimable getting the other.

Eversley were due to visit CB Hounslow United in the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup last night (Tuesday) before hosting AC London in the league on Saturday (3pm).