Brackley Town spring FA Cup shock as they dump Gillingham out 4-3 with midfielder James Armson bagging a hat-trick

Nov 16, 2016

JAMES ARMSON was the hat-trick hero for Brackley tonight as they sprung an FA Cup shock to dump out Gillingham.

The midfielder’s treble helped the National League North outfit to a 4-3 after-extra-time victory at Priestfield as the pressure mounts on Gills boss Justin Edinburgh.

There was elation in the changing rooms as Brackley stunned Gillingham

James Armason was Brackley's hero as his hat-trick helped his team see off Gillingham 4-3 in their FA Cup replay — James Armson was Brackley's hero as his hat-trick helped his team see off Gillingham 4-3 in their FA Cup replay

Gillingham, just like they did in the first game, came back from two goals down to level the game up at 2-2 to force extra-time.

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Brackley, who play in the National League North, took the lead in the replay when Armson picked up a loose ball in the box and drilled past home keeper Stuart Nelson 17 minutes in.

Brackley Town's Ellis Myles (left) and Alex Gudger take a moment to realise what they have done in the FA Cup replay

T%his was Brackley's third goal, that took a cruel deflection of Gills keeper Stuart Nelson — This was Brackley's third goal, that took a cruel deflection of Gills keeper Stuart Nelson

And things got even better for the visitors when that man again Armson got on the end of a cross from the right to slot home at the back post just seven minutes later.

Jake Hessenthaler brought the Kent side back into it nine minutes before half time when he capitalised on Brackley keeper Laurie Walker's parry to blast into the net for his first ever FA Cup goal.

And League One Gillingham must have had a rocket from boss Justin Edinburgh at half-time, and stepped things up.

Now dominating possession, substitute Scott Wagstaff scored the equaliser less than a minute after being introduced with his first touch of the game.

But rather than feel crestfallen after throwing away the lead once again, Brackley did the impossible and went 3-2 up.

Armson will grab all the headlines after he crashed a hat-trick against Gillingham

There wasn't any champagne in sight, so the water bottles got a good spraying in the changing rooms

A corner fizzed in bounced up off Gillingham's Cody McDonald, then onto keeper Nelson and into the goal.

And the non-League minnows weren't done there.

Armson completed his hat-trick with a fine individual effort in the 105th minute to make it 4-2.

But credit to Gillingham as back they came. Cody McDonald capitalised on a tired back-pass by Brackley centre-half Luke Graham.

The Brackley players celebrate in the changing rooms after triumphing in the seven-goal FA Cup thriller

Justin Edinburgh will be under even more pressure now after Gillingham's shock FA Cup exit

Hat-trick hero Armson said after the game: "We came into the game full of confidence thinking we could take something from it.

"I know I'll get a lot of plaudits for the hat-trick, but the boys deserve a lot of credit they were first class.

He went on to describe it as "one of the best nights of his career."

And Brackley boss Kevin Wilkin added: "There is a tremendous amount of character in this squad, and they've showed it again tonight.

"I hope everybody enjoyed what they saw."

Brackley will travel to take on Blackpool in the second round, tie to be played on December 3.

Tags: FA Cup Football

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