FA YOUTH CUP: AFC Dunstable and Barton Rovers make progress

AFC’s floodlit U18 team, who had yet to win an FA Youth Cup tie in three previous attempts, made a remarkable comeback against Godmanchester Rovers.

The visitors found themselves 2-0 down at the break, where some wise words from manager Paul Blackman saw the team transformed in the second period, blasting six goals without reply.

Joe Hankins helped himself to a hat-trick with Jake Kissiedu netting two and Ashwin Chinjekure also on target.

Another satisfying fact for AFC was that 12 of the squad are only 16 years of age, while Hankins deserve special praise, as on Sunday he notched another treble when representing Bedfordshire along with eight of his AFC team mates.

AFC will now travel to St Neots Town in the second qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Barton Rovers enjoyed a 3-0 win at Eynesbury Rovers in their first qualifying round tie.

Kieran Reid put the visitors 1-0 up, before Tyler Ingham added a second and then Reid completed the scoring late on.

Rovers are now away to Peterborough Northern Star in the next round.