Historic Heathens! Flackwell beat Bracknell to book FA Cup date with Maldon & Tiptree

Matt Ayres. Photo credit: Jeremy Vaughan @jezz_takes_pics (instagram)

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Flackwell Heath are through to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 21 years after confidently dispatching step 3 hosts Bracknell Town 3-0 at Bottom Meadow last night (Tuesday).

The visitors scored three times in 14 second half minutes to turn the tie decisively in their favour.

Having missed late chances in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Robins at Wilks Park, manager Chris Ayres admitted many people would feel that Heath had wasted their best chance of progressing to the fourth qualifying round - and an away tie at Maldon & Tiptree.

However, he also knew his side would enjoy playing on a 3G surface, and they proved that at Bottom Meadow with their second half goals coming from brothers Jamie and Matty Ayres and Ben Stallard.

Their reward for seeing off Bracknell in last night’s replay is a trip to Isthmian League North side Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday week (October 11).

Just as they did in Saturday’s tie, Bracknell had the better of the first half opportunities, with Alfie Pavey striking the far post after being played in on goal in the 16th minute.

The Robins then saw another attempt cleared off the line when Francis Amartey linked up with Ody Alfa to create a chance for Jake Leahy, whose shot was beaten away by Heathens’ keeper Jack Brooker.

However, the Southern League Central Division side took control of the tie around the hour mark with Jamie Ayres firing home their first in the 58th minute and Stallard then making it 2-0 in the 65th minute.

Bracknell responded with several decent chances of their own, with the visitors making several saves and numerous blocks to preserve their two-goal cushion.

Had the hosts hit back in that period, momentum may have swung back their way, but instead, Flackwell were able to break and kill off the game with a goal from Matty Ayres in the 72nd minute. It was perhaps apt that Matty should kill off the Robins’ resistance as he’d been the player who missed a gilt-edged chance for Flackwell late on in the first game.

It’s been an incredible run to the fourth qualifying round for Flackwell, with Ayres’ side having seen off two step 3 teams in Lewes and Bracknell, along with Soul Tower Hamlets FC in the second qualifying round.

Flackwell return to league action at home to Stotfold on Saturday (October 4).