Cup weekend brings joy and heartbreak across the Southern League

Southern League clubs endured mixed fortunes in the FA Trophy second qualifying round. Weymouth, playing host to Hartpury at the Bob Lucas Stadium despite technically being the away side, needed penalties to progress after a 2-2 draw in which Cameron Walters and Louis Manning had both given the Acorns the lead, only for Toby Holmes to force a penalty shoot-out with a leveller in the 78th minute. Weymouth eventually won the shoot-out, sending Hartpury out of the competition after what Cameron Walters called a performance that "showed how good we are."

Ware enjoyed a comfortable afternoon against AFC Sudbury, goals from Theo Ofori, Rechan Esprit and a late Fred Burbidge penalty save sealing a routine passage into the third qualifying round on Burbidge's return from injury. Welwyn Garden City needed a second-half fightback to see off Walthamstow, Eddie Corbit equalising after Jordan Trickett's header had put the visitors ahead, before Kendall Gyamfi's lobbed finish settled it with 14 minutes left.

Several other Southern League clubs bowed out in the second qualifying round. Bristol Manor Farm went out on penalties, losing 8-7 after normal time finished level, while Hertford Town and Potters Bar Town also exited, the latter beaten 2-5 at home by Biggleswade, whose new signing Matteo Perkins marked his arrival with a goal on his first appearance. Slimbridge lost 2-3 to Willand Rovers in front of 118 spectators, and Larkhall Athletic were beaten 3-0 by Tiverton Town, for whom Billy Tucker scored and set up another as the Yellows reached the third qualifying round for a fourth cup success of the season.

In league action, Bishops Cleeve produced what manager Colly described as "as good a performance that I can remember from a Bishops Cleeve team" in a 4-0 win at Barnstaple Town, Aaron Evans-Harriott scoring twice and setting up two more before half-time, with Ben McLean and Jamal Lawrence also on target. Exmouth Town kept their solid Division One South form going with a 1-0 win over Shaftesbury, Ben Steer heading home the only goal, following an earlier FA Cup replay win over Banbury United that sends them to Thame United.

At Worcester Raiders, Logan Stoddart returned to Claines Lane to link up with his brother Jordan, manager Jordan Lewis calling it "fantastic for them and their family" as the club continues its first season at Step 4.