FARNHAM TN 3, FAWLEY AFC 2

MATT Glass scored a hat-trick on his return for Farnham Town in this five-goal FA Cup thriller at the Memorial Ground.

Sydenhams Premier League outfit AFC Fawley pushed Town all the way, even when reduced to ten men, but Glass had the last word in the dying moments of the Extra Preliminary Round match.

Thunder and lightning delayed kick-off for five minutes and Glass could have scored before manager Paul Tanner had even taken his seat, shooting against keeper Conor Beattie after meeting a Nick Metcalf cross.

Farnham had other decent chances, the best falling to Pascal Thornton, but as half-time approached it was the visitors who snatched the lead.

Declan Hartigan freed up space for Kieran Roche who showed strength and balance to keep hold of the ball and finish neatly into the far corner

Town moved the ball quicker in the second half and made better individual decisions around the Fawley 18-yard box. They got their reward after 10 minutes as Elliott Cardona provided the assist for Glass to slot home the equaliser.

Tanner promptly sent on James Flynn and Jamie Phillips in a change of formation designed to stop Fawley’s full-backs coming forward.

The crucial moment came when Roche tangled with Phillips and the Fawley central midfielder received a straight red card for kicking out.

Farnham’s numerical advantage gave them license to keep the ball and step up the pressure, but they struggled to create chances and it was Fawley who regained the advantage when Dane Sayce whipped in a corner and Aaron Lucas prodded the ball home.

Farnham’s instant response would have delighted Tanner. Phillips drew a foul in the 18-yard box and Glass dispatched the spot kick to make it 2-2 with four minutes plus stoppage time remaining.

A replay looked on the cards, but Town kept pressing and 16-year-old substitute Josh Stepney gave them some extra bite in the last five minutes.

With the final whistle imminent, Glass timed his run perfectly to meet a pass from Stan Staines and forced his shot under the advancing Beattie, the ball trickling over the line for the winning goal.

“The whole squad showed an excellent togetherness and concentration after being behind twice and then getting in front to win in the dying seconds,” said manager Tanner. “It was a massive game for a first competitive fixture of the season and helps the club financially as we go forward in the cup.”

Farnham’s reward is an away tie against Godalming in the next round. The sides are also due to meet in the league this season after Godalming’s relegation back to the Combined Counties.

• Badshot Lea are through to the next round of the FA Cup after beating Verwood on penalties in a replay. Lea drew 1-1 with the Wessex League Division One side on Sunday. It ended 3-3, after extra time, on Tuesday and the Baggies won the shoot-out 3-1 and now meet Moneyfields.

• Alresford won 2-1 at Sholing in their FA Cup match, but Petersfield crashed 5-0 away to Thatcham Town.