There was no shortage of excitement in the FA Cup Preliminary Round games on Saturday.

After a six-month wait, Darren Blackburn took charge of Sittingbourne for the first time but they were knocked out 4-1 at Southern Counties East League Deal.

Blackburn was originally appointed Brickies boss in March after Chris Lynch’s resignation, and fielded new signings Andy Drury and Ryan Palmer in his line-up.

But Deal never looked back after taking the lead through Macauley Murray’s second-minute penalty. Ben Chapman and Jack Paxman made it 3-0 before half-time.

Kane Smith added a fourth on the hour in front of a crowd of 287 at the Charles Ground and Kane Rowland’s late reply was no more than a consolation for the visitors.

Ashford United fielded new signing Johan ter Horst as they defeated Whitehawk thanks to two first-half goals at Homelands.

Josh Wisson put Tommy Warrilow’s men ahead inside eight minutes and Aaron Condon doubled their advantage midway through the first half.

Whitstable resisted higher-league Carshalton for over half an hour before falling to a 5-1 defeat.

David Fisher opened the scoring on 37 minutes and Ernold Haxhiu added a second on the stroke of half-time.

Jordan Cheadle made it 3-0 on 69 minutes, and Tommy Bradford and Omar Koroma both found the net as the hosts scored three times in seven minutes.

Ollie Rowe ensured there was no clean sheet for the hosts with a consolation goal three minutes from time.

Herne Bay came close to taking much-fancied Hastings to penalties at The Pilot Field, despite playing with 10 men for more than half the game.

Keeper George Kamurasi saw red just before half-time for Bay which meant teenager Dan Colmer came off the bench to make his debut between the sticks.

Colmer and his defence produced an inspired rearguard while Bay had chances on the break to go ahead.

But their efforts were unrewarded after Jack Dixon’s right-foot finish seven minutes from time put Hastings through in front of a crowd of 400.

Birthday boy Jack Midson came off the bench to score twice in two minutes as Sheppey defeated isthmian League South Central Uxbridge at Holm Park.

Harrison Carnegie’s excellent finish had given Sheppey a first-half lead but Ryan Haugh equalised midway through the second half.

Former AFC Wimbledon man Midson, who turned 37 on Saturday, then worked his magic to turn the tie in Sheppey’s favour with Richie Hamill adding a fourth six minutes from the end.

Phoenix Sports staged a spirited comeback but it was not enough to force penalties at East Grinstead.

Louie Theophanous (2) and Jerry Arnoo but East Grinstead in charge at half-time but Jeff Duah-Kessie and James Dyer set up a tense finale before time ran out at College Lane.

Nick Davis’ first game in charge of VCD Athletic will be one he’ll want to forget after they were knocked out in comprehensive fashion by Cray Valley.

Connor Dymond marked his debut for Kevin Watson’s men by scoring inside 12 minutes. Ade Yusuff and Hassan Ibrahiym netted to give Cray a 3-0 half-time advantage.

Yusuff added his second before Francis Babalola made it five before the hour mark, substitute Ade Adeyemo scored the sixth goal late on.

Southern Counties East League Erith & Belvedere looked to be heading out when they fell behind to Ash Mutongerwa’s 80th minute goal.

But Marlon Patterson converted a spot-kick four minutes from time to force a penalty shoot-out.

Both teams were guilty of missing various times before it was the Deres who went through, 4-3 on penalties after eight attempts from each side.

Jack Billings marked his return from suspension for Corinthian with the opener in their win at Newhaven.

Billings netted on the stroke of half-time but Corinthian needed Frankie Morgan’s late winner to progress after Henry Watson levelled for the hosts with 20 minutes left.

Harry Harding opened his Faversham Town account, scoring the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Eastbourne Town at Salters Lane.

The hosts progressed on penalty, winning 6-5, with Faversham keeper Luke Watkins making the decisive save.

Hythe Town were knocked out by South Park at Reachfields, Connor French and Leon Lalor-Dell scoring in the second half for the visitors. Nathan Gordon’s 82nd-minute reply was not enough for the hosts.

Stansfeld’s first foray into the FA Cup came to an end when they were knocked out 3-2 by Little Common.

After falling behind to Russell Eldbridge’s penalty, Ollie Milton and a Sam Ryan spot-kick put Stansfeld in dreamland. But second-half goals from Adam Smith and Eldridge meant the hosts were knocked out.

It was an afternoon to forget for Ramsgate, despite an impressive ‘capacity’ crowd of 400 for their tie against Chipstead.

Goals from Spencer Cripps, Jack Beadle and Sam Bell saw Chipstead ease to a 3-0 success.

Fisher twice came from behind before knocking out higher-league Tooting & Mitcham on penalties, Christian Udo and Josh Biddlecombe scoring for the visitors.

Penalties were also needed at the Culverden stadium where Beckenham and Tunbridge Wells played out a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Wells’ Robbie Bissett equalised for the hosts after Ayo Bolarinwa’s opener, with Wells winning 4-1 on spot-kicks.

Chatham Town were always in control of their tie at Westside, taking a first-minute lead through Jack Evans. Moses Abioye added a second on the hour mark to complete the win.

Bearsted lost in the FA Cup for the second time this season. Having lost in the Extra Preliminary Round to Peacehaven & Telscombe, Bearsted were reinstated into the competition after the Sussex side were removed for fielding an ineligible player.

But the Bears never recovered from Omari Hibbert’s fourth-minute opener as Whyteleafe ran out 4-0 winners in the Preliminary Round.

Hollands & Blair will wait to find out the outcome of their tie at Burgess Hill. Blair declined to travel to their game on Saturday after the hosts revealed on Friday that some of their squad had tested positive for Covid-19, a scenario that had seen other sides pull out of the competition already his season.

Sevenoaks were in control of their tie against CB Hounslow United before the visitors refused to complete the match in the second half. Oaks led 3-0 and have now launched an investigation after an ‘alleged matter’ .

The draw for the First Qualifying Round is due to be made on Monday.

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