The Peacocks are through to the 3rd Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup after beating Tiverton Town 5-3 in a rip-roaring tie this afternoon (3rd October).
A dismal afternoon weatherwise was brightened up on the pitch by a fantastic local derby which saw the home side make the better start and take the lead after 20 minutes when Town failed to clear and Dan Hayfield cut in from the right to fire home at the near post. The Peacocks drew level seven minutes later with an absolute screamer from Dan Sullivan, drilling a left-footer into the top corner from outside the box. By half time Town had incredibly netted another three goals; Toby Holmes headed in from Gethyn Hill’s cross after 32 minutes before Hill himself added the third on 41 minutes when he stooped at the near post to nod in Sullivan’s cross. Jamie Short then rifled home the fourth a minute before the break from the right side of the area after receiving Ollie Chamberlain’s pass to give the Peacocks a commanding lead at the break.
Tiverton piled on the pressure in the second half and reduced the arrears after 56 minutes when Alex Fletcher scored a penalty after Andy Watkins had been brought down by Joe Guest and when Jordan Bastin’s shot found the net from 18 yards after 69 minutes the hosts sensed a remarkable comeback. However with nine minutes remaining, Owen Howe was tripped by Craig Woodman and he got to his feet to comfortably steer home the penalty and confirm the Peacocks’ passage to the next round.
Full post-match coverage can be seen in our Results section HERE