FA Trophy first round reshapes Step 3 as storms, penalties and new managers mark the week

The FA Trophy first round proper dominated Step 3 this week, and Storm Boelo made most of it a matter of endurance. Cray Wanderers won 2-1 at Berkhamsted after Alfie Payne, having set up Rob Strachan's 75th-minute header from a corner, scored from just inside his own half two minutes from time. Wimborne Town won 4-1 at Taunton Town, their first win at Wordsworth Drive since joining the Southern League, in a match that featured three penalties and a Taunton red card. Wimborne now host Uxbridge in the second round, after Uxbridge won 3-0 at Egham Town.

Photo: Eastbourne Borough on X

Penalty shootouts decided several ties. Eastbourne Borough beat Leatherhead 2-1 on spot-kicks after a 2-2 draw, with goalkeeper Lewis Carey saving four of the five penalties he faced, and Redditch United beat Gloucester City 4-2 on penalties after a late Dan Sweeney equaliser. Bath City also progressed after a goalless draw with Frome Town, setting up a home tie against Truro City.

In the Northern Premier League, Avro beat Hyde United 2-1 after coming from behind, with Jacob Holland-Wilkinson and James Simms scoring and Hyde's Brad Roscoe sent off. It was Nick Spooner's first game back in charge at Hyde, who had parted company with Michael Clegg days earlier. Guiseley won 3-1 at Warrington Rylands, Ashton United beat Redcar Athletic 1-0 after Redcar's Josh Mazfari saved a penalty, and Curzon Ashton went out on penalties at Bridlington Town.

Photo: Bamber Bridge on X

Managerial change ran through the week. Halesowen Town lost Russ Penn by mutual consent, and Paul Holleran, interim manager, took charge for a 4-0 win at Evesham United. Bamber Bridge confirmed Paul McKenna as first team manager after Jamie Milligan stepped down following almost seven years. Whitby Town lost their first match under Graeme Lee, 4-2 at FC United of Manchester.

In the Southern League Premier Central, Real Bedford surrendered their unbeaten league record in a 3-1 defeat at Bishop's Stortford that saw them finish with nine men, while Hitchin Town cruised past second-placed Bury Town 5-1. In Premier South, Basingstoke Town saw off Plymouth Parkway 2-0 before bolstering their squad with loanees Dan Bayliss and Amir Hadi.