Handsworth's epic Emirates FA Cup adventure continues after a fantastic 3-1 win at Halesowen Town in Second Round Qualifying on Saturday.Their West Midlands opponents are unbeaten in the Pitching In Northern Premier League and sit top of the Division One Midlands table, one step above their Toolstation NCEL Premier Division visitors.
So, it was a big shock in front of a crowd of 858 who applauded Handsworth at the full-time whistle in recognition of what was a well-deserved cup upset.
Handsworth took the lead in the 38th minute through Kane Reece and, when Sam Smith doubled their advantage just after the hour mark, it felt as though victory would be coming Russ Eagle's men's way.
The hosts pulled one back with twelve minutes remaining to add to the nerves but Smith grabbed his second and Handsworth's third on the verge of stoppage time to secure passage through to the next stage with the draw taking place on Monday.
Meanwhile, in the Premier Division, there is a now a seven point gap between leaders
Grimsby Borough and the rest after their 3-0 victory at
Silsden AFC.
Reece York struck early on before a Daniel Trott double gave the Wilderness Boys the win that means they are now the only unbeaten side in the division.
That is because
Sherwood Colliery's perfect start to the league campaign ended with a 3-2 loss at home to
Emley AFC who picked up their first victory of the season.
Twice George Doyle put the visiting Pewits in front only for Ryan Ingram to restore parity on both occasions for the hosts, but substitute Ryan John's 79th minute strike proved decisive at Debdale Park.
Maltby Main also lost ground on the summit as they went down 1-0 to visitors
Albion Sports, Jaydan Sandhu with the goal's only game midway through the first period.
Colliery and Maltby are overtaken by
Garforth Town whose 5-0 win at
Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Friday lifts the Miners up into second whilst their hosts drop into the basement.
Karl Fitzgerald and Alex Burton gave Garforth a two goal advantage by the interval with further additions to the scoreline coming in the second period from Daniel Coupland, Joseph Colley and Hass Gorji.
Eccleshill United are up into fifth after their 3-1 win at
Barton Town, Jonny Irving and Samuaili Cissa with a quickfire double in the final twenty minutes to claim the points for the Eagles whilst the Swans fall into the bottom three.
Declan Howe struck twice as
Staveley Miners Welfare beat hosts
Knaresborough Town 4-0 to jump up into sixth and
Penistone Church were victors by the same scoreline at home to
Thackley with Luke Stewart getting a couple of their goals.
Bottesford Town are in the top half of the table after Jack Cross' penalty earned them a 1-0 win at
Athersley Recreation and
Goole AFC are eleventh following their victory by the same score at home to
Winterton Rangers on Friday night, Samuel Cable with a 56th minute winner.
The top three all won in Division One so
Brigg Town remain in pole position, ahead of
Rossington Main on goal difference, following their 1-0 win at
Shirebrook Town, Stephen McCarron with a late winner for the Zebras.
Rossington, meanwhile, defeated hosts
Rainworth Miners Welfare 5-2 with Niall Doran claiming a hat-trick whilst
Selby Town keep two points behind the leaders in third after they came from behind to defeat visitors
Dronfield Town 3-1.
Liam Flanagan struck twice with Harry Clapham also netting for the Robins who are a point ahead of
Nostell Miners Welfare who jump to fourth following their 5-0 home victory over
Hall Road Rangers, Danny Edwards scoring in stoppage time in both halves to help them on their way.
An own goal from Jack Birks and a second half strike from Daniel East earned
North Ferriby a 2-0 win at home to
Parkgate to move the Villagers up into fifth and
Hallam complete the top six following their 5-1 defeat of
Swallownest at Sandygate, Christopher Wood netting twice for the Countrymen.
Those two games saw mammoth attendances with 331 at North Ferriby whilst Hallam welcomed in 466 to their match with a mention as well to the fixture at Selby which saw 282 come through the gates.
The highest scoring game of the day came at the Tomlin Personnel Park where
Teversal beat visitors
FC Humber United 7-4 to move off the foot of the table to be replaced by their neighbours Shirebrook.
Cameron Pinnick nabbed a hat-trick for the Tevie Boys who led 3-1 at the break but the away side, who have now conceded 48 goals in ten league games, never stopped competing in what was an enthralling encounter.
There were goals for Benjamin Partridge and Samuel Geeves as
Ollerton Town were victorious, 2-0 at home to
Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, and James Gore and Joseph Crosby netted in the final quarter-of-an-hour to claim a 2-1 away victory for
Harrogate Railway Athletic at
Armthorpe Welfare.
And, an 87th minute equaliser by
Clipstone's Declan Whitton saw the Cobras draw 2-2 home to
Retford FC.
Photo: Jack Bennett challenges Sherwood Colliery keeper Joshua Turton during Emley AFC's 3-2 win at Debdale Park to claim their first Premier Division win of the season whilst ending their hosts' 100% start to their league campaign. (Picture: Mark Parsons)