Isuzu FA Trophy – Fourth round review

Another round of the Isuzu FA Trophy is nearly in the books and the competition continues to reward fans with incredible action, upsets and drama right to the final whistle.

Four of the 14 ties played were decided via the penalty spot and further National League outfits fell to lower league opposition as the last sixteen takes shape.

The winners of Hornchurch vs AFC Telford United and Woking vs Macclesfield will complete the fifth round line-up on 20th January.

Fifth round fixtures are set to take place from Saturday January 31st.

Upset

National League South strugglers Southport caused an upset by dumping out fifth tier Eastleigh out of the competition away from home.

Goals from Ted Lavelle and Malakai McKenzie either side of half time dispatched of their National League hosts to set up a fifth round tie away at AFC Fylde who dumped out Hereford via a penalty shootout.

Southport have made a single FA trophy final, losing 1-0 to Cheltenham Town in the 1998 final, and fans may have a cause for optimism following a draw against a fellow sixth tier side.

Fylde themselves won the competition in 2019 and will be relieved to avoid the likes of Scunthorpe and Forest Green for another round.

Goal fest

Kidderminster Harriers made light work of National League Morecambe by dispatching of the Shrimps 6-2 following a blistering first half display.

The home side raced into a 5-1 lead by half time and comfortably contained their defensively frail opponents to book their place in the fifth round.

The game featured eight different goal scorers as the Harriers proved they can best fifth tier opposition as they occupy a play-off place in the National League North.

A testing fixture awaits Kidderminster in the next round as they travel to Halifax Town.

Halifax put a stop to Anstey Nomads fairytale run by running out 4-0 winners at the Shay .

Clitheroe were also denied another trophy scalp as Scunthorpe scored two late goals to prevail 3-1 after being pegged back by their eighth tier opponents.

The Iron will look to avoid another potential banana skin as they welcome Horsham in the fifth round.

CHAT’S THE WAY TO DO IT: Chatham Town players celebrate their Isuzu FA Trophy fourth round victory over Carlisle United PICTURE: Richard Parkes

Reward

Following Chatham Town’s dramatic victory over high flying Carlisle United, they have once again been rewarded with a fifth tier opponent at home as they welcome Southend United.

Southend avoided any chance of an upset at Twerton Park by beating 10 man Bath City 3-1 and will look avoid a departure to the giant killers Chatham.

Additionally, Walton & Hersham have also been granted a home tie against the winner of Woking and Macclesfield.

The club has already knocked out two National League sides, Brackley Town and Sutton United, in the last two rounds.

Sixth tier Marine will also travel with the hopes of causing an upset as they play Tamworth following the Lambs’ victory on penalties over Rochdale.

Full Isuzu FA Trophy fourth round results

Ebbsfleet 0-2 Forest Green

Wealdstone 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

Chatham Town 1-0 Carlisle United

Bath City 1-3 Southend United

Scunthorpe United 3-1 Clitheroe

Leatherhead 2-3 Horsham

Halifax Town 4-0 Anstey Nomads

Kidderminster Harriers 6-2 Morecambe

Walton & Hersham 1-0 Brackley Town

Hereford 2-2 AFC Fylde (3-4 on penalties)

Eastleigh 0-2 Southport

Yeovil Town 0-0 Alvechurch (3-1 on penalties)

Tamworth 1-1 Rochdale (7-6 on penalties)

Marine 1-1 Gloucester (4-3 on penalties)

Woking vs Macclesfield (Fixture to be played 20th January)

Hornchurch vs AFC Telford (Fixture to be played 20th January)

READ MORE: Which Non-League sides will feature in the Isuzu FA Trophy Fifth Round?