BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (Nyewood Lane)

FA CUP 3rd QUALIFYING ROUND, BOGNOR REGIS TOWN 4-2 OXFORD CITY, ATTENDANCE: 515

This weekend I was back on the road to Wembley, with an FA Cup double. Today I packed up my bucket and spade for a long trip to the seaside as Bognor Regis Town, of the Isthmian Premier League, were hosting Oxford City, of the Conference National League South.

Oxford are having a good season in the league and, as of today, were sat in second place in the league. Bognor, playing in the league below, are in 7th position, level on points with the three teams above.

Bognor Football Club were founded in 1883,  becoming Bognor Regis FC in 1929 after King George V added the suffix 'Regis' to the seaside resort, after a period of convalescence there, though it is reported that the King said actually said "Bugger Bognor" when asked to bestow this honour!

The Rocks best performance in the FA Cup was reaching the second round proper four times, the last in 1995, but today they were aiming to secure their place in the 4th qualifying round for the first time since 2004.

Bognor is famous for being a location of one of the many Butlins holiday camps, but today it was the heroes on the playing field that put Bognor on the map, as they came from behind twice to defeat City.

After a lively start from both teams, Oxford took the lead after 13 minutes when a cross was fumbled into his own goal by goalkeeper Grant Smith, via a deflection off Sami El-Abd.




Oxford controlled the majority of the first half as they passed the ball around the pitch. However after 41 minutes Bognor broke clear and as Doug Tuck prepared to shoot, he was tripped in the box. Jason prior stepped up to equalise for the home side (pictured left).

On the stroke of half time Oxford were awarded a free kick, which was crossed into the box, and Jose Lapoujade headed home.

Whatever Bognor manager Jamie Howell said at the break certainly had the desired effect as the home side dominated the second half.

Bognor had an effort cleared off the line and a goal disallowed before substitute Alex Parsons levelled the match after 72 minutes.

Three minutes later Parsons netted his second goal to give Bognor the lead for the first time. Prior scored his second goal with five minutes remaining to spark the celebrations. Bognor will now travel to Wealdstone in the next round.