FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying

Newent Town 4 Bradford Town 2

NEWENT Town are through to the second qualifying round of the FA Vase for the third time in their history after overcoming higher level opposition in Wiltshire outfit Bradford Town.

The Daffs went into the break 2-0 up at Wildsmith Meadow in front of a 130-strong crowd on Saturday, but had to show resilience and determination after the visitors levelled early in the second period.

And Newent eventually ran out 4-2 winners against the Western League Premier side to book a home tie against Kenysham Town in the next round.

The Daffs took the lead after 10 minutes when skipper Dylan Hart latched onto a great long ball and gave Bradford keeper Tom Creed no chance.

In a half where both sides were evenly matched, Bradford came back with a couple of chances for Josiah McKayle.

But the Newent defence dealt with the threats, with keeper Leyton Joyce making some top-drawer saves.

And Town doubled the advantage on 25 minutes with a ‘worldie’ from Stuart Fleetwood.

Spotting that Creed was off his line, he sent over a perfectly-weighted lob from 35 yards that left the Bradford stopper helpless.

The visitors went close to pulling one back though when McKayle hit the post and the ball was cleared.

And they had another chance before the half ended only for the shot to fizz just wide.

But Bradford started the second half with determination, and pulled one back five minutes into the second period when Tom Mack’s curler from outside the box left Joyce with no chance.

The momentum was now firmly with the visitors who were monopolising possession, and Mack went close again when another effort just cleared the bar.

But on the hour it was all square at 2-2, as the Bobcats striker beat several defenders before laying the ball off to Leo Gallazi to level.

Newent appeared to be in for a painful final 30 minutes, but battled hard and restored their lead from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to go when Bradford’s Jack Marion was given his marching orders.

Daffs’ skipper Hart stepped up to convert the pressure kick for 3-2 and his second goal of the afternoon.

And the win was secured three minutes later as Newent went for the kill, an initial shot parried away, but only as far as Man-of-the-Match Jaber Ahmed, who drilled home for 4-2.

The 10-man Bobcats continued to press but the hosts’ defence stood firm, and it was Newent going through at the final whistle, equalling their best ever run achieved twice before, the last time in 2022/23.

Joint manager Luke Handley said: “Emotions are running high – a 4-2 win in the Vase against higher-ranked opposition.

“Disappointing to come out from the half and concede two goals as quickly as we did. But each and every one of them showed good fight to go on to win the game. So overall, we'll take the positives and we're very happy with the result.”

Fellow joint manager Zaq Hussain added: “To concede goals but to show the fight and the desire, I think we can go on and do positive things this season.”

Newent host Saracens FC on Wednesday night (August 27) and Clanfield 85 on Saturday afternoon (August 30) in league action.