Merthyr Town earned a 3-2 away win in their Buildbase FA Trophy tie against Farnborough FC.
Connor Young, Kieran Lewis and Ian Taylor scored their goals at the Easy As HGV Stadium in the first qualifying round match.
Former Cardiff City Academy defender Young, the son of Bluebirds’ hero Scott, put the Martyrs ahead when his effort flew in off home defender Samir Bajja.
Brendan McCoy equalised (21 mins) before former Cambrian and Clydach midfield player Kieran Lewis, a Wales and Great Britain university international, put Merthyr ahead for a second time just after the half hour.
Ian Traylor made it 3-1 (78) before Kurtis Cumberbatch scored a second from a penalty for Farnborough.
Merthyr started slowly, but grew into the match and were on top during the opening half. They led 2-1 at the break and it could have been three with Lee Lucas just off target from 20 yards.
Jarrad Wright clipped the bar from a head after 52 minutes, while Merthyr goalkeeper Joe Perry saved superbly after an hour.
Traylor and Tom Meechan were both causing Farnborough problems. A Traylor shot was saved and and then he lobbed Sam Mason only for the goalkeeper to chase back and take possession on the line.
Meechan went close when his effort was cleared off the line.
Substitute Ryan Prosser took over from Meechan with 15 minutes left and headed into Farnborough’s net, but his effort was disallowed on an offside decision.
Craig McDonnell then made a decisive interception, racing back to make a goal-saving clearance in the last minute when the home team were intent on scoring an equaliser.
The win earned £3,250 in prize money for the Martyrs, while £4,000 is on offer at the next stage. Fixtures in the second round will be played on Saturday, November 10 when the Martyrs were due to be at home against Wimborne in an EvoStik Southern League match.
Farnborough FC: Sam Mason, Samir Bajja (Michael Elis-Fernandes 45), Courtney Fearn, Matthew Bevan, Imran Uche, Frank Puemo (Jonathan Moanda 73), Reggie Young, Brendan Mcvey, Patrick Cox (Connor Cullen 65), Andrew Sealy, Kurtis Cumberbatch. Subs: Perry Cotes.
#FCVClips @FarnboroughFC @MerthyrTownFC 1-3
Ian Traylor 78'@BuildbaseUK #FATrophySponsored by @FordFarnborough and @EasyAsHGV pic.twitter.com/QhD4oDOuab
— fcvideo (@fc_video) October 27, 2018
Merthyr Town: Joe Perry, Adam Davies, Connor Young, Ashley Evans, Jarrad Wright, Craig McDonnell, Lee Lucas Matthew Harris, Tom Meechan (Ryan Prosser 75), Kieran Lewis, Ian Traylor (Corey Jenkins 86). Subs not used: Joseph Hunt, Gavin Williams.
Referee: Jonathan Cresswick.
Attendance: 203.
Merthyr Town fixtures in November
Saturday 3 Dorchester Town v Merthyr Town (3pm)
Saturday 10 Merthyr Town v Wimborne Town, postponed (Buildbase FA Trophy second round tie to be played that day)
Tuesday 13 Merthyr Town v Poole Town (7.45pm)
Saturday 17 Basingstoke Town v Merthyr Town (3pm)
Tuesday 20 Merthyr Town v Tiverton Town (7.45pm)
Saturday 24 Merthyr Town v Weymouth (3pm)
