RICHARD Luffman detected a new steeliness in his Alresford Town side during Friday’s gritty 2-1 FA Cup win at Sholing.
On paper the Boatmen were favourites to come through the all-Sydenhams Premier extra preliminary round tie, but Luffman felt the Magpies “got under the skin” of their highly-rated hosts as goals by Steve Hall and Tom Sands carried them through.
“Sholing have ruled the roost round here for quite a few years and I think we got under their skin a bit,” said former Otterbourne boss Luffman.
“Previously we’ve gone to places like that and shown a bit too much respect.
“Even back in the Otterbourne days, we had a bit of a ‘middle class’ side that didn’t like putting their bodies on the line.
“We always had a weakness when the going got tough, but not this time. It was very un-Alresford-like!”
The Magpies' Sam Burt was left with swelling on both knees and some ligament damage after a two-footed tackle by Sholing's Alex Sawyer, but Luffman hopes he will be back in action within a month.
Sawyer was red-carded and Alresford defender Lukas McCartney joined him for an 'early bath' after a melee had broken out.
“The tackle didn’t look too clever, but I know Alex Sawyer well and he’s a nice lad. I'd hope it wasn’t malicious,” he said.
"I don't think Lukas did too much wrong. He'd just seen one of his mates on the end of a poor tackle. The ref was keen to even things up, if you ask me."
Alresford can now look forward to a reunion with the club’s former co-manager Danny Robinson on August 19. Robinson’s Thatcham Town steamrollered Petersfield 5-0 to earn a preliminary round date at Arlebury Park.
Adam Pearson and Zach Glasspool fired Andover Town through to a home tie against Southern League outfit Wimborne, scoring in a 2-0 win at Lymington Town.
Brockenhurst outgunned a young Team Solent side 5-2 at Test Park thanks to Mark Barker (2), Mitch Speechley-Price (2) and Matt Burt, setting up a home tie against Hartley Wintney.
Kieran Roche put Fawley AFC 1-0 up at Farnham Town but was then red-carded in a 3-2 defeat.
Despite leading again, 2-1, through Aaron Lucas, the Oilers succumbed to a penalty and a stoppage-time winner by the hosts.
Fareham Town will visit Steve Claridge’s Salisbury on August 19 after a 4-2 result at Bashley, secured by Lee McCombie, Josh Holmes, Curt Robbins and Callum Laycock. Rae’mur Henry and Chris Lucas scored for Bash.
Ex-Saints academy striker Bobby Scott plundered a hat-trick and Steve Ramsey and sub Dale Mason also struck for AFC Portchester in their 5-1 romp over Christchurch. The Royals now host Amesbury Town, who outclassed Eversley & California 4-0.
Horndean are Binfield-bound after goals by Connor Duffin and Mark Smith saw off Melksham Town 2-1, while Hamworthy United dominated the all-Wessex clash against Bemerton Heath 4-1 through Steve Smith, Mark Ford, Jamie Filkins and Nathan Walker. The Hammers now host Ascot United.
Portland United, the Sydenhams Premier champions, triumphed 1-0 at Plymouth Parkway – Alex Godfrey the scorer - to set up a visit from Paulton Rovers.
Blackfield & Langley face a Tuesday night replay after drawing 0-0 at Camberley Town.
*BAFFINS Milton Rovers top the fledgling Sydenhams Premier Division table after a 2-2 draw with Hamble Club.
Louis Bell’s side looked destined to make it six points out of six when they led 2-1 through Joel Jackson and a Shane Cornish penalty with time running out.
But Hamble Club, who beat Baffins to the Division One title last season, sprang themselves out of jail with an 85th-minute leveller.
Hamble, who scored through Doug Rowe and Mo Nyang, tweeted: “The Monks were lucky to come away with a point at @BMRFC today.”
Baffins return to league action at Sholing on Tuesday, looking to avenge defeat by the Boatmen in last season’s Sydenhams League Cup final.
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