NEWENT Town's dreams of an FA Vase cup run were smashed by Aldermaston's Atom Men, as the Daffs fell to a 5-0 second qualifying round defeat at Thatcham Town's Waterside Park ground in Berkshire.

Denzel Kuzakawo had an early chance for Newent, but the Wessex League hosts didn't take long to go in front, scoring on 14 minutes after Muhammed Alders beat his man to cross in for Anthony Bossman to finish at the back post.

Tommy Duff had a chance to level shortly afterwards but blazed over, and it was 1-0 at the break.

But within two minutes of the restart, the Atom Men doubled their lead controversially, when Alders was played through and rounded the keeper to square for Bossman to finish from close range for his second.

The Daffs claimed their centre back had his arms around Luke Firkin in the build up, but the ref was having none of it.

And a quick-fire third goal just three minutes later pretty much sealed the deal, Samir Baral cutting in from the left and hitting the post before the ball rebounded into the net off Daffs keeper Adam Clarke.

And on 60 minutes it was 4-0, Bossman whipping in a cross for Paddy Gorman to finish first time into the bottom corner.

Firkin had a header just over as the Daffs sought a consolation, but a tackle from behind by Josh Comerford on Gorman then saw both depart – the Newent man red carded, and the hosts' player injured.

And to rub salt into 10-man Newent's wounds, Tsakani Chauke added a fifth for Aldermaston from close range five minutes from time.

Having made club history last year by reaching the FA Vase first round proper for the first time before missing out at Barnstaple, the Daffs were hopeful of at least matching that this time, having beaten Almondsbury in the previous qualifying round after coming back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 and then win the penalty shoot out.

But it wasn't to be, and attention will once again turn to Hellenic League One action this Saturday (September 19), when Newent host Bromyard Town, kick-off 3pm.

Newent 2nds visit AFC Worcester 2nds in the Herefordshire League this weekend, before travelling to Hereford to play Westfields 2nds on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere, Ruardean Hill Rangers played only their second Gloucestershire League game against Bishops Cleeve Development at the Ruardean Rec, and ran out 3-2 winners.

Hill took the lead on 25 minutes as a Cleeve mis-header in midfield saw Steve Clark lob the keeper.

Cleeve equalised right on half-time as the ball ricocheted to Ross Langworthy to slot into the far corner.

But Hill were back in front four minutes into the second period, as a bad back pass was intercepted by Alex Stephens who made no mistake at the near post.

And on 55 minutes it was 3-1 after an overhead volley by Max Telling hit the bar and Harrison Creed reacted quickest to the rebound.

Cleeve hit back on 88 minutes after Henry Danter-Welch converted a ball floated into the box, but Hill held on.

Ruardean visit Mangotsfield Rocks next Tuesday night.