Fabrenco given cup fright by underdogs
Fabrenco beat Fair Deal Carpets 3-2 but the Division Six leaders handed out a major first-half lesson to their lofty opponents.
Fair Deal cruised into a worthy two-goal lead going into the break, leaving Fabrenco shocked and needing to pull themselves together.
They responded in the right way, however, and two second-half goals from Jack Debnam, from a direct free-kick, and a penalty got them level.
Then, a second late penalty from Jimmy Read saw them snatch victory after an unusually below-par display.
Elsewhere in the cup, Humberston Quayside beat Crows Athletic 5-3.
Quayside progressed to the next round courtesy of a hat-trick from Jamie Sawdon which included two fantastic free-kicks either side of half-time.
Quayside were never in danger from a stubborn Crows but weren't able to shake them off.
Louis Grant opened the scoring after five minutes when he opened up the Crows defence and slotted home but Crows replied from a corner straight away to show they were not going to be a pushover.
Quayside regained the lead with a brilliant dead-ball strike from Sawdon and it soon became 3-1 before half-time.
An own goal made the tie safe at 4-1 and the management duo of Woolford and Steer made changes to give squad players a run out.
This gave Crows the impetus they needed as they scored yet again from a set-piece.
Quayside steadied the ship with their fifth but never looked totally comfortable and the usually reliable keeper Drury let a third squirm underneath him to complete the scoring 5-3.
Elsewhere, LOR beat Bottesford Town 6-1 having turned round a 1-0 half-time deficit with an excellent second half performance.
Goals from Callum Day (two), Wayne Long (two), Craig Mitchell and Trev Buffey ensured they go into to the next round, where they face holders FC Milan.
Clark Construction FC hosted Lincoln side Branston Wagon at North Thoresby and beat them 5-1.
For the first time this season, Clark's Manager Scott Herrett had a selection headache with virtually a full squad to choose from.
From the first whistle, both teams looked bright and tried to get the ball down and utilise the expansive North Thoresby pitch.
The away side threatened to score first, going close from an in-swinging corner and then a one-on-one chance.
However, Clark's shot stopper Damion Mroczkowski was in fine form and denied both chances with some good clearances and a blocked save.
Clark's midfield duo of Mark Carroll and Luke Morley started to win possession and get the ball wide to Nathan Usher on the left wing.
Dan Brassington and Dean Bailie played some neat passing to release the winger. Usher then beat the left back and cut in from the bye-line.
It looked as though he was about to cross but instead elected to have a shot which was deflected just inside the keeper's near post for the first goal.
The goal seemed to knock Branston off their stride but give Clark the impetus to take control of the game.
Usher went close again, diverting a fiercely-hit cross from Pete Fuller just over the bar.
Not long after this chance, Clark went two up when Fuller raced into the box, went past a defender and drove a low shot past the keeper into the left corner.
Just after the break, Clark all but sealed the game when, once again, Fuller and Usher combined, with the former providing a cross from the right for Usher to finish neatly from six yards.
Branston did threaten the edge of Clark box occasionally after the break, but most attacks were quickly stifled by the home side's backline of Sutherland, Genney, Wilkes and Brassington.
Luke Niland replaced Carroll in the heart of midfield, giving the Clark skipper a well-earned rest.
He was quickly in the action, combining well with Jack Stevens on the right to release forward Bailie inside the box. The striker still had some work to do, but showed great composure to wait for the right opportunity to lift the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the empty net.
The fourth goal put Branston in a right pickle and there was no way back.
Stevens and Usher were replaced by James Clarke and Tom Bryan for the final 25 minutes.
But the change in personnel didn't seem to affect Clark's momentum and Fuller made it five with another trademark strike from his right boot, firing the ball low into the net.
The last 15 minutes saw Clark cruise to the final whistle.
This allowed Branston to claim a consolation after some loose defending enabled a forward to have a free shot from outside the box.
This was Clark Construction's best performance of the season with the home side being just too good for the Lincoln side.
The reigning Division Six champions now need to take their cup form into the league next week away to the Trawl.
Joining Clark in the next round are Sealord, who had a walkover against Weston, Crows Nest, who beat White Hart 5-2, FC Milan, who won 1-0 against Janneys Allstars and SW Steelers who won 5-2 against Immingham Town.
GY Cladding needed extra time against Station Gates to eventually win 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick from former Grimsby Town Youth player Nathan Emson and a Sean Carlisle strike.
Team Redstar won 7-2 away to Excel, Jubilee Inn registered a 10-1 victory against Lucarlys Eastern Trucks, while AFC Buddies won 2-1 against FSC Victory and Seven Seas triumphed 3-0 against Drinksy Building Cricketers.
Greenlands travelled across the county to Gainsborough to face an unbeaten Premier Section team, Real Ropery, and were beaten 9-6 after extra time.
Greenlands, on the back of their first defeat of the season, were keen to make amends by progressing in this competition.
Manager Phil Harneiss gave the Greenlands team a confidence-boosting team talk, and asked them to get back to playing their attractive flowing football.
The Greenlands team must have used his words as inspiration, as they started forcefully, passing the ball quickly, with movement that Ropery could not live with.
The positive start was soon rewarded as excellent work down the left between Leigh Stead and Tez Ballard allowed Ballard to race onto a defence-splitting pass and send in a wicked cross, which was met with a bullet header by Andy Kirkley to give Greenlands a deserved 1-0 lead.
But as Greenlands continued to press, Ropery's quality began to tell and they were soon level, as Greenlands failed to close a Ropery player fully 35 yards out and he let fly with an unstoppable shot which nestled in the corner of the net.
Greenlands continued to press and were soon back in the lead, as Kirkley forced a Ropery defender into conceding a corner.
Ballard curled in a delivery, which the Ropery keeper flapped at and the ball curled into the Ropery net to give Greenlands a 2-1 lead.
This goal spurred Ropery on, and they started to cause the Greenlands defence numerous problems with their excellent football and pace from both wings and two of the quickest strikers in the county.
Their lightning pace caused Greenlands problems and Jason Suddaby pulled off several breathtaking saves in the Greenlands goal to keep them in the lead.
Captain Darren Ticehurst also prevented many Ropery attacks, with some strong tackles, in one of his best performances of the season.
But Ropery were soon level as Greenlands failed to clear their lines and were punished as the Ropery striker placed the ball past the stranded Suddaby.
Greenlands were rocked and Ropery soon found themselves in front for the first time in the game.
As the Ropery wingers broke forward they began to leave gaps on the flanks, which Ballard exploited down the left and he crossed for Stuart Kane, who turned his man and drilled home on the half volley to make it 3-3.
Greenlands were now starting to get on top again and Lee Hickinson and Tim Harmer were stamping their authority on the game.
And it was an excellent through ball from Harmer that split the Ropery defence to send Kirkley away.
He raced clear, skilfully dummying the Ropery keeper, before rolling the ball into an empty net to take Greenlands into half-time 4-3 up.
Greenlands started the second half slowly and gave Ropery time on the ball.
They duly punished Greenlands and quickly drew level as a ball was cut back and dispatched from the edge of the six yard box.
Greenlands struggled to get going and Ropery showed why they were unbeaten, going ahead again after a tricky run and finish to make it 5-4.
Greenlands were being stretched and went further behind after more clinical finishing by the Ropery strike force to make it 6-4.
Greenlands looked dead and buried, but they started to show a never-say-die attitude.
They pushed forward in numbers, and it was Kirkley who put Greenlands back on the comeback trail when he picked up the ball midway in his own half before outpacing three defenders and drilling the ball into the bottom corner to complete his second hat-trick of the season.
Greenlands sensed they could complete a great comeback and forcefully pressed forward in search of an unlikely equaliser.
Harmer showed his talents by beating a host of players from the centre of the park, before playing in Hickinson, who checked past a defender before rifling the ball into the top corner.
The referee brought an end to normal time with the scores level at 6-6.
Extra time started with the younger Ropery team looking fitter with more left in the engine, but Greenlands players have the experience.
And they started the first half strongly, with Harmer going close with a left-foot effort.
Greenlands suffered a blow when keeper Suddaby, who had an inspired game, suffered a leg injury after being heavily challenged by a Ropery striker.
But he struggled on despite been hampered.
Ropery sent a dagger through Greenlands hearts just minutes before the end of the first half of extra time, however, as their frontline, who had been a threat all game, broke away to take the lead.
Greenlands pushed hard in the second half of extra time, but to no avail as the Ropery defence stood firm.
Ropery added gloss to the scoreline in the final five minutes as they scored two further goals, which in truth was harsh on Greenlands who competed excellently throughout. Greenlands can take heart from knowing they took one of the better teams in the county all the way.
A special mention goes to referee Mr Tucker, who allowed an excellent game to flow with the minimum of fuss.
In Division Two, Louth side Golden Fleece beat Healing 6-4, Healing's goals coming from Markham (two), Mulier and Ballard.
Elsewhere, Holton le Clay and Keelby Utd drew 3-3 in their mid-table clash.
In Division Three, Bridge beat Old Clee 3-1 and Harvest Pet Products won 4-1.
DMS FC march on in Division Four after beating Nick's Takeaway 4-2.
It was an entertaining encounter between the only two unbeaten sides in the division going into the game.
It was Nick's who would settle first, forcing Scott Smith into a good first save.
DMS's Jak Allen quickly got into the game when his cross was headed behind for a corner.
From the resulting Dom Hanton corner, and after a goalmouth scramble, Sean Rands poked home from close range for his third of the season.
Nick's drew level when Ben Shaw's error in the box fell to a Nick's player whose shot struck the arm of Danny Kearns for a penalty. Matty Baker made no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way.
DMS's Jono Harriyanto was unlucky when his 25-yarder went close.
In the second half, DMS came out with their tails up and quickly got their passing game together.
Allen was unlucky not to score when a brilliant cross from Hanton was put wide.
DMS went into the lead when Hanton sent in another quality cross, this time Allen made no mistake.
Matty Hanton was unlucky when his good run and shot was well saved by the keeper and then another thumping effort was tipped over. From the resulting corner, Andy Bagnall was pushed, a penalty was awarded, and Baggers made no mistake from 12 yards.
Nick's were unlucky when a header from a corner was tipped over from point blank by Scott Smith.
But they struck with 15 minutes to go when Richard Tasker headed home unmarked at the back post from a corner.
Both teams started to push on but it was DMS who would have the final say when Hanton played a neat one-two with Tom Avison, riding two tackles, surged into the box and sent a cross to Danny Kearns at the far post to tuck home.
Lewis Wilson came on in the five minutes of injury time to make his debut and immediately set up Bagnall but his shot went wide.
Elsewhere, Pattesons won 2-1 against Tap & Spile in the game between two clubs with similar records, while. Healing 2nds won 2-1 away to Trawl FC with goals from Fulton and Gifford.
Division Five leaders Louth Utd beat Grange Crowland 7-0 but hot on their heels are Buddies II Utd who could only manage a draw with Spiders Web.
M & M Decor won 3-1 away to Crows Nest 3rds while AFC Wybers 2nds drew 3-3 with RCS Athletic.
In Division Six, BBS Couriers won 4-2 away to AA Property New Waltham to go top of the league. Their scorers were Alex Otter (two), Daniel Harrison and Marco Ellis. Dan Francis and Scott Broderick replied for AA Property.
Meanwhile, DLB Taverners beat DC Amateurs 5-2.
Goalscorers for an under-strength DLB were Rob Long and Dave German with a couple apiece and Wayne de Gruchy in what was a good win.
Number 2 Pub kept up their 100 per cent start to the season with a hard fought 3-1 win against Clee Workingmens.
Number 2 opened the scoring with Rob Mair neatly chipping over the keeper.
They then increased their lead when Nathan Heward spectacularly volleyed home from a Mair cross.
In the second half, Clee Workingmens pushed for a goal, and deservedly got one, their forward deflecting a cross under goalkeeper Chris Stamp.
Number 2 killed the game off 10 minutes from the end when Mair dispossessed a defender to lash home his 10th goal of the season.
Clee Workingmens pressed the Number 2 goal with their last effort being tipped over the bar by Stamp.
The other games in this division resulted in wins for Smugglers AFC, 3-1 against Locomotive Blossom Way, and Willow Community, 1-0 against ITP Jewellery.
In Division Seven, Lindsey Garden Products won 4-2 away to Clee Community, their goals coming from Daniel Rice (two), Andy Hammond and Tom Hornby.
Deportivo la Carrera beat leaders Tap & Spile 2nds 5-1 while Newton Athletic did their cause no harm when they beat Cromwell 6-0.
Tower Bucharest did likewise when they won 4-0 against Taverners Cleethorpes.
In Division Eight, well-placed A to Z Trading won 5-2 away to AFC Waltham. Nicholson and Chapman scored a brace apiece and Gorman got the other for A to Z who have now won six consecutive games in all competitions.
KCT Photography drew 1-1 with Mariners FC.
Mariners took an early lead when Andrew Furnell slotted into the bottom corner from a tight angle.
KCT equalised when a cleared corner dropped on the edge of the box for Phil Nicolson to half-volley into the bottom corner via the post.
Leaders Asureflow FC beat Keelby Utd 2nds 7-0. Andrew Parratt (three), David Durham, Marc Bratley, Harvey Shaw and Jonathan Mason scored the goals.
Clee Rangers and West Marsh drew 1-1 in the other game in this division.
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