FA Trophy and Vase joy for quartet as Wembley dream lives on - round-up

The Wembley dream lives on for Shifnal Town, Whitchurch Alport, AFC Bridgnorth and Ludlow Town as the Shropshire quartet progressed in national knockout competition.

Shifnal face a third qualifying round tie in the FA Trophy later this month after coming through a second qualifying round on Saturday.

Connor Patterson’s men were convincing 3-0 winners at home to Shepshed Dynamo, a second victory in the competition this season.

They have been drawn away to Alfreton Town, of one level above in the Northern Premier, in the next stage of the competition.

Attacking star Chay Tilt netted two early goals to put Shifnal in a commanding position against Shepshed, before Andre Landell turned in a third midway through the second half.

The trip to Derbyshire side Alfreton is on Saturday, September 26 with £2,450 up for grabs for the winning team.

Whitchurch, AFC Bridgnorth and Ludlow discovered their Vase fate on Monday for the first round proper draw.

They enjoyed dramatic victories in the second qualifying round over the weekend - including Alport’s penalty shootout victory at AFC Wolverhampton City.

Whitchurch prevailed with last-gasp drama thanks to Jack Howse bagged an 89th-minute equaliser for 2-2 in Wolverhampton to cap a superb fightback. The Black Country hosts earlier went 2-0 up before Ollie Holden netted on the hour and Howse equalised late on.

And Jayson Starkey’s side prevailed 4-3 on penalties to book their spot.

Bridgnorth triumphed with an impressive 3-2 victory on the road at Coventry Copsewood.

Mitchell Evans, Nehemia Zazi and De Quarnai Williams netted for high-flying North West Counties First Division South leaders Bridgnorth in the win at Coventry Copsewood.

Bridgnorth will head to another step six outfit, Northamptonshire side Moulton, in the first round.

Ludlow enjoyed a 2-0 derby success on the road at Hereford Pegasus, with Ryan Clarke in twice late on to secure the bragging rights.

Ludlow are on the road to south Leicestershire in the next round with a visit to AFC North Kilworth.

Alport have been rewarded with a home Yockings Park tie against Abbey Hulton United, their Midland Premier rivals on Saturday, October 10.

Shawbury United’s competition ended with a 3-2 defeat at Rugby Town, as Ablay Sowe’s double proved in vain. Telford Town were beaten 2-0 at home by Bewdley.

Winners at the first round proper stage will pocket £825 prize money.

There was also league action over the weekend as Allscott Heath smashed seven beyond Wednesfield, who remain two places above 14th-placed Heath in North West Counties’ First Division South.

Ben Davies fired a hat-trick, with Kian Newnes at the double. George Cross and Liam Parkinson were also on target in a 7-1 win in the Black Country.

Market Drayton made it three wins on the spin to climb to 10th with a 2-1 win at 10-man New Mills. Tyler Cooper struck an equaliser for the Gingerbread Men and Armando Wood converted a winning penalty 15 minutes from time.

It was goalless between Dawley Town, in 15th, and Brereton Social of one place below.