BigFreeBet.Com Challenge Cup Midweek Review

The tie of the round saw neighbours AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Kettering Town do battle at Hayden Road.

And in front of a terrific crowd of 615, it was the Evo-Stik South East hosts who came out on top of a five-goal thriller.

Rhys Hoenes gave the Poppies an early 2nd minute lead, but two goals in 6 minutes midway through the half from Ben Diamond and Joel Gyasi gave Diamonds the lead.

Gyasi added a third with 5 minutes of the half remaining, and although Matt Stevens reduced the deficit to one with 10 minutes remaining, Diamonds held out for local bragging rights.

Diamonds` league rivals and current League Cup holders, Hayes & Yeading United also ousted Premier opposition from the competition as they won 3-1 at the SKYEx Community Stadium against Slough Town.

Manny Duku gave the home side a 36th minute lead that Keano Robinson doubled 3 minutes into the second half.

Lee Togwell netted an 89th minute reply for the Rebels, but Luke Joyce-Dwarika ensured there was to be no comeback when he made it 3-1 in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.

Egham Town`s Brendan Matthew enjoyed himself at Hanwell Town as the all-Evo-Stik South, East tie went the way of the visiting Sarnies 5-3.

Devante McKain gave Egham a 13th minute lead that Calum Duffy cancelled out 5 minutes later.

But goals from Matthew in the 28th and 34th minutes pulled the Sarnies 3-1 head and then McKain again on 53 minutes stretched the lead further before Matthew completed his hat-trick 11 minutes later.

Hanwell pulled two back through Peter Dean on 67 minutes and Joe Chandiram 5 minutes from time, but the damage had already been done.

Another all-South East tie saw high-flying Hartley Wintney beaten 2-1 at home by Marlow, whose Jordace Holder-Spooner gave them a 40th minute lead.

Michael Buck eventually equalised 20 minutes from time, but Marcus Mealing won it for the visitors with less than 2 minutes to go.

An all Evo-Stik League South, West tie saw Cinderford Town win 3-1 at Shortwood United.

Goals from Rob Atkinson Paul Michael and Matt MacDonald just before the break killed off Shortwood, who `won` the second half with a goal from Will Hawes in the 72nd minute.

By Steve Whitney