Flackwell crash eight past EP in the FA Vase

East Prestons Andrew Dalehouse in action against Andrew Dalehouse

EP had received a bye through to the second-round stage but were dumped out by a strong Hellenic League Premier Division side.

In a one-sided encounter, the visitors should have opened the scoring on 15 minutes when a Joe Blount cross found Jamie Handscombe but he shot wide from just five yards.

EP had goalkeeper Rui Buckland to thank for keeping the scores level four minutes later as Blount crossed for Dan Ripley, but his effort from five yards was stopped by the home side’s keeper.

East Preston nearly found themselves ahead on 27 minutes when Andrew Dalehouse tried a speculative chip from 25 yards but his effort landed on the roof of the net.

Flackwell did take the lead on 34 minutes when Handscombe headed home a Michael Woodward free kick.

It was 2-0 just three minutes later as Ripley latched on to a Woodward through ball and coolly slotted past Buckalnd.

Flackwell thought they had got a third when Handsombe headed home a Woodward free kick but their celebrations were cut short as the referee gave a foul to the home side for a push by the goalscorer.

The second half did not begin well for EP as Marvin Farrell was sent off for a second yellow card.

Flackwell should have made it three when Rapley found Burnell with a cross but he saw his goalbound header superbly saved by Buckland.

Rapley then bagged his second of the game on 64 minutes after Alex Duncan failed to deal with a long ball and the visitors’ forward slotted home.

Flackwell got a fourth nine minutes later when Burnell fired home a crisp volley from six yards.

Blount and Ashleigh James exchanged passes before Blount fired home from the edge of the area to make it 5-0.

Burnell and Rapley both scored within five minutes of each other to complete their hat-tricks and give Flackwell a seven-goal advantage.

Gavin James then netted with just a minute left as EP crashed out of the competition.

EP will be looking to bounce back with a victory when they travel to Dorking Wanderers in County League Division 1 on Saturday.

EAST PRESTON: Buckland; Miles, Duncan, Franks, Farrell; Osel, Akehurst, Lockyer, Battie, Charles, Dalehouse. Subs: Brand (Battie), Martin (Duncan), Hallett, Harraj.