Soham Town Rangers march on in FA Cup with comprehensive victory over neighbouring Mildenhall Town

Alex Cross has hailed the performance that his Soham Town Rangers players produced during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat of neighbouring Mildenhall Town in the Emirates FA Cup.

Mildenhall made the short journey to Julius Martin Lane as the higher-league club following their Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title-winning exploits of last term.

However, it was the hosting Greens that advanced through to the preliminary round of the competition, where they will entertain Harleston Town on August 17 in a quick repeat of their season opener.

It was a performance inspired by the trickery and pace of Joao Varela, with the goals coming courtesy of Hayden Lambert, Mason Newman, Ryan Sharman and substitute Callum Howe. Former Soham midfielder Alfie Connor had levelled the scoreline up at a goal apiece during the first half with a free kick, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

“They nailed the gameplan and did everything that was asked,” Cross told the club’s YouTube channel. “We were absolutely superb and I think 4-1 makes it look closer than what it was – it was even wider than that.

“They’re a really good team. Phil (Weavers, Mildenhall manager) has made really good additions to his side and they will be really competitive at Step 4.

“But every single one of our players was brilliant. We beat them in every single department.”

There was also no complaints from Cross’ opposite number Weavers, who conceded that the better team on the afternoon won.

He said: “You can sit and make umpteen excuses about this or that going wrong, but that would only detract from what Soham done. We weren’t at the races and they were excellent.

“It’s a bad result for us, but we can’t complain – we were beaten by a better side on the day. All we can do is wish them good luck in the next round.”

Before switching their focus back on the FA Cup, Soham will look to pick up their first win of the new Premier Division season following back-to-back 2-2 draws.

They head to Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday (3pm) and host Thetford Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).