SWINDON Supermarine provided an FA Trophy shock in convincing style on Saturday by beating National League South promotion-chasers Dartford 4-0 in the second round.
George Dowling enjoyed a memorable afternoon at the Webbswood Stadium as he scored a hat-trick, also his first goals of the season.
Marine substitute Zack Kotwica scored the other as the Southern League Premier South challengers upset the odds and reached the stage of the competition where the National League clubs also enter.
After an even start, Lee Spalding’s men broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Kotwica beat his man and sent over a pin-point cross for Dowling to volley home from the edge of the box.
Buoyed by their early goal, the Southern League side continued to dominate and doubled their lead midway through the first half. Dowling netted once again when his firmly-struck free-kick squirmed through the hands of Dartford’s Tom Wray.
The hosts continued to set the pace in the second period and added two early goals as their day turned from good to excellent.
Kotwica curled a long-range shot into the corner in the 51st minute, and just four minutes later Dowling thundered in a 25-yard effort to complete his hat-trick.
Marine comfortable saw out the remainder of the game to book their spot in round three. The draw for the third round will take place on Tuesday afternoon.
Elsewhere, Highworth Town were beaten 2-0 away at Walthamstow in Southern League Division One Central.
The Worthians suffered a four-hour nightmare drive to north-east London before Callum Ibe and Demaray Anyadike ensured the hosts took all three points via first-half goals.
Walthamstow also struck the frame of the goal twice on an afternoon Gareth Davies’ men would rather forget.
In the Hellenic League Premier Division, Royal Wootton Bassett Town fought back to secure a 2-2 draw at home to local rivals Fairford Town on Friday night.
Robbie James and Danny Gudger put Jody Bevan’s side in front during the first half at the Sustain Stadium, and it could have been even worse for Sam Collier’s men when George Peare was presented with a gilt-edge chance to make it three, but he skewed wide early in the second period.
Having survived that scare, half-time substitute Matt Bennett flicked in a near-post corner to halve Bassett’s deficit.
Parity was then restored after Fairford’s stopper fumbled a bouncing ball and Bennett slotted into the net from 10 yards out.
In the latter stages, both sides failed to capitalise on decent chances to win the game, and the points were shared.
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