**Marine AFC are no strangers to the magic of the Emirates FA Cup and they got their journey in this year's competition off to the perfect start with a 2-0 away win over Newcastle Blue Star in the second round qualifying.
**The visitors, who famously reached the third round proper of the competition back in 2020-21 before exiting to Tottenham Hotspur, enjoyed the brighter start but were left frustrated by Blue Star for much of the contest. Eventually the pressure told, and Marine broke the deadlock not long after the hour mark through James Brown. The defender found himself in acres of space just outside of the box before rifling home an ambitious strike that gave Blue Star shotstopper Dan Lister no chance. Matty McDonald then doubled his side's advantage with a well-taken shot to confirm his side's place in the third round qualifying. Marine manager Bobby Grant said: "We're delighted. We've come here and done the job we needed to do. The scoreline should've been more but overall, to come here and keep a clean sheet and deliver the performance my lads have delivered has us delighted. "I told them to keep doing what they were doing \[at half time\] because we absolutely dominated the game of football in the first half. My keeper hadn't made any saves, and they were clearing balls off the line, so I asked them to continue to do that and lift the tempo that little bit more. "We did that and in the second half we scored two great goals. In the second half, we could've had more and on another day, should've had more, but overall we're delighted." The result brings to an end Blue Star's FA Cup journey for this year, with the club's best ever result in the competition a place in the first round proper back in 1984-85 - before Blue Star were reformed in 2018 after previously folding in 2009. Manager Marc Nash said: "The club in days gone by was a very big name and they won the FA Vase as well. I'm not sure the players are aware of the history of the old club, but they can become local legends in the area and the current setup so let's hope they can achieve something in their spell with us."
**Best of the rest
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Alejandro Machado's last-gasp penalty ensured **Aveley FC** advanced into the third round qualifying after they defeated **AFC Sudbury** 2-1.
Aveley found themselves behind within a minute of kick-off after Kyran Clements headed home from a corner before substitute Jaden Brissett levelled the scores just moments after coming on.
With the tie heading toward a replay, Aveley were awarded a penalty at the death and Machado stepped up to test Sudbury keeper Marcus Garnham.
Machado's effort was denied, but the Spanish born midfielder stayed alert to tap home the rebound and ensure his side's progression to the next round.
Elsewhere, **Folkestone Invicta** put on a show under the Friday night lights by downing **Maidstone United** 2-0 in an all-Kent clash at Cherlton Road.
Invicta went ahead after midfielder Donnell Thomas produced a sensational bit of skill to lose his marker before slotting home.
Forward Ade Yusuff added a second not long after the restart, with the Isthmian League Premier Division outfit holding on to punch their ticket to the Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying.
Over at Mill Lane, **Runcorn Linnets** got the better of **Pickering Town** 2-0 in the second round qualifying tie selected for live TV coverage.
Declan McLoughlin opened the scoring after his strike was deflected into the net before Ryan Brooke wrapped up his side's victory with a composed finish in front of the BBC cameras.
While Ahkeem Rose bagged an extraordinary four goals to help **Hednesford Town** ease past **Coleshill Town** 7-0, with Dan Turner, Dom McHale and Jonny Edwards the other names on the scoresheet.
And there were even more goals at Meadowbank as **Dorking Wanderers** beat **Wingate & Finchley** F.C. 7-2.