FA CUP FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND Mildenhall Town 8 Kirkley 2 FOUR first-half goals from Dan Heron gave Mildenhall a sensational win against Ridgeons Premier League rivals, Kirkley, in the FA Cup on Saturday. The game started evenly with a chance coming at ea

FA CUP FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

Mildenhall Town 8 Kirkley 2

FOUR first-half goals from Dan Heron gave Mildenhall a sensational win against Ridgeons Premier League rivals, Kirkley, in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The game started evenly with a chance coming at each end in the first quarter of an hour. Matty Clements headed an effort over the bar before Mildenhall goalkeeper, Ben Nower, made a stunning one-handed save to deny Stokefield's thunderous header.

Mildenhall's first goal came from the penalty spot after the persistent Clements was brought down in the box. Wayne Goddard stepped up and calmly converted, sending Rix the wrong way.

The floodgates then opened with the superb Heron grabbing a four-goal brace before half-time. His first goal came after 25 minutes when the striker rode a tough challenge and beat Rix at the near post. North then struck the post before Heron got his second of the afternoon, just after half an hour of play. The striker finished off a beautiful passing move involving Herring, Miles and Clements. He then completed his hatrick, just two minutes later, when he got on the end of Clements' cross, and lifted the ball over Rix. The relentless assault on the Kirkley goal continued and Heron grabbed his fourth, and Mildenhall's fifth, just before the half-time whistle, when he capitalised on some nervous defending and confidently smashed the ball into the corner of the net.

The home side continued where they left off in the second half with North forcing a spectacular save. Clements capped off his fine performance with a goal on the hour mark by heading home a delightful cross from North. Andy Eady made it seven, 10 minutes later, with a header, before Heron turned provider by crossing for English, who finished off well with a low drive to make it 8-0.

Mildenhall then took their foot off the gas and allowed Kirkley to score two consolation goals. The first came from a Stockeld header from close range, and a Chenery free-kick deflected in off the defensive wall in the dying minutes.