Resilient Heathens ride out storm as Ayres brothers help seal historic FA Cup win

Photo credit: Jeremy Vaughan @jezz_takes_pics (instagram)

--

Chris Ayres felt Flackwell Heath fully earned the luck which came their way as they defeated Bracknell Town 3-0 in last night’s replay to advance to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup later this month.

The Heathens had to be resilient in defence as their Southern League Premier South hosts dominated the opening 45 minutes, but a combination of dogged defending - and some excellent saves from Jack Brooker - kept them in contention heading into the second period at Bottom Meadow.

They then wrestled momentum away from Bracknell with three goals in the space of 14 minutes to seal victory, and a trip to step 4 side Maldon & Tiptree in the final qualifying round on October 11.

Jack Shakespeare teed up Jamie Ayres for Flackwell’s first goal in the 58th minute, an excellent move that was given the finish it deserved. Ben Stallard then scored their second in the 65th minute, and although the Robins carved out some decent chances in the meantime, Matty Ayres effectively killed off their hopes with a third for Flackwell in the 72nd minute.

Speaking to club media after the final whistle, Ayres said: “Wow, what a performance.

“It was a typical FA Cup performance against a side higher than us.

“We had to ride our luck in the first half. We were probably fortunate to come in at 0-0, but that’s the beauty of the FA Cup. We showed resilience. You must earn your luck which I thought we did.

“Second half, I always thought we would come into it in the second half because they tired at our place. So, we knew we had half a chance. Today, we got our chances, and we were clinical. The goals were outstanding goals; I’m just buzzing for everyone involved with the club.”

It was a proud night for manager Chris Ayres as both of his sons got on the scoresheet to send Flackwell through to the fourth qualifying round for the first time in 21 years.

He was especially pleased for Matty, who’d missed a big chance to score a late winner for Flackwell in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bracknell at Wilks Park.

“The first goal changed the game,” he said.

“It gave us that little lift to kick on. It was a great goal. Shakey’s pass and Jamie’s finish was absolutely brilliant. And then Matty got his redemption from Saturday.

“He was really down on Saturday night after his late miss. But I said to him, put it right today and it was another brilliant finish.”

He added: “Always, home and away, since we’ve come in, the support has been amazing. I can’t speak highly enough of them. It means so much to us all and to the group that the supporters travel to watch us play away and get behind us like they do.”

Flackwell take on struggling Stotfold in the Southern League Central Division on Saturday as they look to get back to winning ways after back-to-back 1-1 draws against Leverstock Green and Enfield. Those results, and the others that occurred this weekend while they were in FA Cup action, have left the Heathens 11th in the table, though they remain unbeaten in the league this season.

“We need to get back to winning in the league on Saturday,” added Ayres. “If we put in the performances we have on Saturday and today, then I’m sure that will come. We need to refocus back on the league and try to get three points.”