Cup hat-trick: Marlow, Flackwell Heath, and Burnham march on in the FA Cup

Naheer Nawaf scored twice for Marlow in their FA Cup victory over Binfield. Photo: Theo Edwards

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Marlow, Flackwell Heath and Burnham have all progressed through the preliminary round of the FA Cup after completing a hat-trick of impressive victories on Saturday.

Marlow and Flackwell were entering the competition for the first time this season, but Burnham were playing their second game in the famous old cup competition, having edged past league rivals Holyport 3-2 in a thriller at the 1878 Stadium a couple of weeks ago.

Shyon Dennis was the match-winner for the Blues on that occasion, scoring a couple of crackers to help his side see of local rivals Port, but he wasn’t available for Saturday’s trip to Ardley United in the preliminary round.

The Blues travelled to the Nolan Oils Ground boasting a 100 per cent record in all competitions this season, their three league victories lifting them to the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North table.

And they managed to maintain that form against Ardley thanks to a brace of goals from Sandro Camara in the 47th and 88th minutes.

His first was an absolute cracker, a shot from distance that bounced down and over the line after striking the crossbar.

League rivals Ardley hit back in the 52nd minute when John Dennis coolly converted from the penalty spot, sending Burnham’s keeper Archie Cunningham the wrong way. But Camara came up with a second goal for the visitors in the 88th minute to send Mo and Omar Bakali’s in-form side through to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Afterwards Omar Bakali spoke to Burnham’s Paul Butler: “Obviously, I’m buzzing. I told the boys before kick-off it’s the oldest competition in the history of football and I wanted them to enjoy it. The boys went out there and first half they were outstanding. The pitch wasn’t the easiest to play on but the boys played well.”

The draw was made this lunchtime (1pm) with the Blues set to host the Jersey Bulls on Saturday, August 30. The Bulls play a level above Burnham in the Isthmian League South East Division and sit 14th having only played one game - a 1-1 draw away at Margate.

Flackwell Heath also have a home draw to look forward to in the next round after they overcame Tuffley Rovers 1-0 in the preliminary round of the competition on Saturday thanks to a first half penalty from Jack Shakespeare.

The Heathens are unbeaten so far this season having kicked off their Southern League Central Division league campaign with a 4-0 home win over London Lions and then come from behind to draw 1-1 with local rivals Beaconsfield Town at Holloways Park on Wednesday. They managed to back up that solid start with another well-deserved victory in the cup on Saturday, and their reward for that is a home game against Lewes in the first qualifying round on August 30.

Chris Ayres side may have home advantage, but Lewes are a step 3 side playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Saturday’s win at Welling United lifted them to eighth in the table.

Completing the trio of FA Cup victories were Marlow who claimed a 2-1 home win over Binfield on Saturday to ensure their progress to the next round.

Today’s first qualifying round draw will see Mark Bartley’s side visit Chatham Town on August 30.

Bartley’s side generally had the better of the Moles at Oak Tree Road on Saturday.

They took the lead midway through the first half when Jacob Wilson’s header caused a scramble in the Binfield area and last season’s top scorer Naheer Nawaf was on hand to score from close range.

Binfield were handed a great chance to level when Khalil brought down his man in the box and the referee awarded a penalty, but Marlow keeper Ryan North got down quickly to his right to push away the spot kick in the 56th minute.

Nawaf doubled the home side’s lead in the 65th minute, latching onto a through ball from Calvin Gitiba before sitting down his marker and smashing the ball in to make it 2-0. The Moles grabbed a goal back in the 75th minute but Bartley’s side held on to book their place in the next round.

Afterwards he spoke to the Blues social media assistant Ben Linton: “I thought we looked really good today, first half in particularly I thought we were brilliant.

“We have a unit of wide players, and they understand that players are going to come in and come out You can see from our last three games that they’ve all been used. They understand what their role will be before the game starts.

“Today, I think Naheer looked fantastic, he got a couple of goals, but ultimately it was a team effort.”

The Blues have shown decent form after losing their opening game of the season 2-0 to Barton Rovers. Last Tuesday’s 3-0 home win over Aylesbury United has lifted them to 10th in the Southern League Central Division table and they made it consecutive victories with Saturday’s FA Cup win over Binfield.

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The draw for the FA Cup First Round Qualifying has been published.

Clubs from Step 3 enter the competition at this stage.

Ties will take place on Saturday, August 30 and winning teams will receive £2,250 from the FA's prize fund.