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Baffins 3 Horndean 0
Written by Ollie Cook
19 Aug 2022
Kelvin Robinson, Jason Parish and Tom Vincent are all on target as Baffins book a First Qualifying Round place in the Emirates FA Cup
Kelvin Robinson, Jason Parish and latest signing Tom Vincent were all on target as Rovers beat Horndean in the Emirates FA Cup to reach the First Qualifying Round for the first time ever.
Danny Thompson handed a debut to 17-year-old Owen Sims, who joined the club on a dual-registration deal from Woking on Friday, as Parish made his first competitive appearance this term.
It took just twelve minutes on the South Coast for Baffins to go in front in the tie as Sims did well on the right flank and his cross found Robinson who emphatically diverted the ball into the back of the net.
Baffins enjoyed spells of possession as the first half grew on, and Parish had the ball in the back of the net midway through the half - only for the referee to blow his whistle for a foul in the build-up.
Sims was involved again shortly before the break as his long throw was headed on by Robinson, allowing for Parish to calmly slot home from close range.
Half time: Baffins 2 Horndean 0
Goalscorers Parish and Robinson were both replaced early in the second half as the hosts remained in control of the cup tie.
Horndean did have a chance to reduce the deficit, though, as former Baffins forward Rudi Blankson was adjudged to have been fouled in the area. Connor Duffin stepped up to take the penalty, but Roux Hardcastle's heroic save ensured the scoreline didn't change.
Just six minutes later, Rovers' passage to their furthest-ever FA Cup feat was secured as Tom Vincent - signing a dual-registation deal from Winchester before the match - beat the offside trap and fired into the far corner past Cameron Scott.
Hardcastle remained focus to ensure his clean sheet was kept intact in the dying moments of the clash, getting down well to deny a strike from the edge of the box.
Full time: Baffins 3 Horndean 0
Baffins: Hardcastle, Sims, Francis, Evans, Oakwell, Kennedy, Gale, Paige, Parish (Vincent 55), Everett (Wellham 87), Robinson (Johnson 63). Subs not used: Saidy, Sanders, Ali, North.
Baffins will discover their First Qualifying Round opponents on Monday 22 August.