Eaton booked their place in the second round proper of the FA Vase after a dramatic 1-1 draw with fellow league side Ampthill, eventually triumphing 5-3 on penalties.
The game was tight throughout, with Ampthill taking the lead midway through the first half when Sam Holmes flicked home a cross from the left. Eaton pressed for an equaliser, but a contentious offside call denied Harden Armiger after some clever work from Jake Williams.
The breakthrough finally came in the second half as Williams combined with Hayden Armiger, threading the ball into the path of Armiger who fired home from just inside the area to level the score at 1-1.
Eaton faced a late scare when goalkeeper Louis Williams was shown a straight red card in the final 10 minutes for denying a goal-scoring opportunity after a collision with Ampthill substitute James Hatch. Shay Griffiths came on as his replacement and kept a cool head, helping Eaton hold on despite being a man down.
The match was then decided by penalties. Eaton remained flawless, converting all five of their spot-kicks. Griffiths became the hero, saving Ampthill’s fourth penalty to secure the win and send Eaton through to the next round.
Hayden Armiger, who scored the equaliser and caused problems for Ampthill all game, was named Player of the Match.
Eaton now look ahead to the second round with confidence after a gritty and determined performance.
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