UCL Review 2015 16

First Qualifying Round action saw three clubs topple higher grade opposition. Pride of place went to Oadby who went to step 3 Sutton Coldfield and progressed 1-0 with a late Jon Stevenson goal. Cogenhoe were 3-2 winners over step 4 Leighton, Taylor Orosz, Jack Bowen and Phil Cassidy on target for the ten man Cooks who had Elliott Herbert dismissed just before half time. Deeping went through with a replay win over Leek from the Northern Premier League. In the first meeting David Burton-Jones and Scott Coupland earned Rangers a 2-2 draw and they won the replay at the Haydon Whitham Stadium 4-2 with two goal Scott Mooney, Coupland and Jezz Goldson-Williams on target as Rangers produced another fine comeback.

Also going through were Holbeach who were 1-0 extra time winners in a replay at Stourport thanks to a Jordan Thomas goal. Thomas had scored in the 2-2 Carters Park draw along with Gary King.

Three clubs went out at this hurdle including the last two Division One representatives. Long Buckby were well beaten 4-0 by Wingate & Finchley but Peterborough Sports took Southern Premier side Hitchin to extra time in a replay. On home soil Karl Gibbs gave Sports a 1-1 draw, at Top Field they twice led through Jordan Macleod and Avelino Vieira before succumbing 4-2 in extra time. Premier casualties Yaxley were within five minutes of a replay against Ryman League East Thurrock when an injury to a visiting player forced an abandonment, the Cuckoos exiting 3-1 at the second attempt. Highlight of the Second Qualifying Round ties was Holbeach’s 1-1 draw with Conference North Worcester at Carters Park. Goalkeeper Rick Drury’s spectacular stoppage time leveller was caught on film and went viral on social media as the custodian was able to enjoy his time in the spotlight before the Tigers bowed out 2-0 in the replay. Deeping lost 3-0 to reigning UCL champions AFC Rushden & Diamonds at the Haydon Whitham Stadium but a consolation was a record attendance of 635. Oadby almost enhanced their giant killing reputation at Conference North tabletoppers Solihull Moors but conceded three goals in the last twelve minutes to lose 3-1 after taking an early lead through Ollie Brown-Hill. Cogenhoe’s run ended with a 5-0 drubbing at Barwell.

The quartet all earned £6,425 from the competition prize fund after notching up three victories.

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