Much like his friend and predecessor Pete Wild, Chris Millington has perfected the art of rescuing academy rejects, turning them into National League stars and sending them back to EFL.
First-half goals from Jay Bird and Tarryn Allarakhia ensured Rochdale moved into the FA Trophy semi-finals ahead of Altrincham in this hard-fought local derby at the Crown Oil Arena.
Gaspar Mico’s early strike fired AFC Whyteleafe into the FA Vase semi-finals for the first time as they withstood a late Bourne Town rally to close in on Wembley.
Will Jaaskelainen saved three penalties in the shoot-out – then stepped up himself to fire National League Woking into the FA Trophy semi-finals and avoid a near-miss upset against Oxford City.
Proud boss Tommy Widdrington hailed his Aldershot Town side after avoiding a potential banana skin and ending Sittingbourne’s fairytale run in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Glen Taylor haunted National League side Sutton United yet again, scoring both goals as Spennymoor Town claimed a place in the Isuzu FA Trophy semi-finals, where they will be the only side from outside non-league’s top flight.
Ryan Maxwell is desperate to ensure Sittingbourne’s historic run to the Isuzu FA Trophy quarter-finals has a fairytale ending when they battle National League side Aldershot Town.
The odds of saving a penalty have been calculated at 15-20 per cent – so the chances of keeping out SIX are pretty astronomic – but that was the reality in National League South last Saturday when half-a-dozen spot-kicks faced resulted in a perfect completion rate for goalkeepers.
Non-League Finals Day is a special occasion for any club that secures a trip to Wembley, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at the home of English football.
He’s won two promotions and scored 200 goals in 10 glorious years with Spennymoor Town, but Glen Taylor admits he would love nothing more than a memorable cup run to cap it all off.
Troy Howard is adamant that Sittingbourne are capable of pulling off yet another upset and booking their place in the Isuzu FA Trophy semi-finals by overcoming National League strugglers Aldershot Town next month.