FA Vase - second qualifying round

St Austell 4, Bridgwater Town 5 (A.E.T)

BRIDGWATER Town made it through to the first round proper of the FA Vase after a pulsating 5-4 victory over St Austell in Cornwall.

The Robins took an early lead from a free-kick, but the hosts were soon on terms and the two sides went into half-time level at 1-1 with little hint of the carnage to come.

A rollercoaster second half saw Bridgwater go 2-1 ahead before suddenly facing a 3-2 deficit, only to then go 4-3 ahead themselves with Syd Camper (2), Matt Connick and Callum Ham on the scoresheet.

St Austell, who had thumped Bishops Lydeard 9-1 in the previous round, then equalised to take the game to extra-time, which was five minutes old when Ham struck what turned out to be the decisive goal in a breathless encounter.

The Robins held on to their lead to seal a happy trip home for the loyal supporters who made the 238-mile round trip.

Bridgwater Town are next in action away at Bradford Town in the Toolstation Western League on Saturday, September 30.