VINCE RUSHER was a man in a hurry as Andover booked their place in the first round proper of the FA Vase with a convincing 5-2 victory at Sussex League Sidlesham.

After just six minutes of Saturday's second qualifying round encounter, Rusher curled home a superb 25-yard free-kick after Phil Andrews had been brought down and, two minutes later, rampant Rusher weaved his way into the Sidlesham area before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The tie was effectively over after 18 minutes when Glen Damen fired home from the penalty spot following a handball by a Sussex defender.

Another spot prize for handball offered Sidlesham a lifeline that was finally severed by hat-trick hero Rusher on 62 minutes as he blasted in another terrific shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The home side grabbed a second on 70 minutes but the Lions roared back with a fifth straight from the restart as Justin Bennett beat two defenders before driving his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Andover secretary Chris Jeremy said: "Obviously the early goals set us up nicely and it was a pretty one-sided affair. We look like we could do well in the Vase and this result sets up nicely for next week's FA Cup tie at Cirencester."

Wimborne Town also went nap with a 5-1 success against Falmouth at The Cuthbury.

Despite all their first half possession, the Magpies had to wait until the 40th minute before taking the lead when Gareth Barnes tapped home a low cross by Geoff Moxham.

Two minutes after the break Mark Smith's pinpoint delivery was nodded in by Darren Powell and they quickly made it three courtesy of another Barnes tap-in from Ollie Phillipson-Masters cross.

Wimborne's Tom Stainer side-footed past the keeper in a one-on-one to make it 4-0 after 70 minutes and, although Falmouth bagged a late consolation, Powell converted an injury time penalty following a handball on the goalline.

AFC Newbury were the day's top scorers as they caned Combined Counties strugglers Mertsham 6-0 courtesy of twin strikes by Anthony Alleyne and Brian Wood along with singles from Dean Mildenhall and Jeremy Newton.

Newbury boss Guy Whittingham said: "It was very comfortable today, they are struggling in their league and their keeper has made some great saves so there could have been a lot more goals."

Their next door neighbours Thatcham Town also saw off Combined Counties opposition as they triumphed 4-1 at Frimley Green.

First-half goals from Danny Oatway (6) and Matt Czastka (28) put the Berkshire outfit on their way and a Ashley Perry header on the hour mark made the tie safe.

Frimley Green pulled a goal back but, straight from the kick-off, the ball was knocked back to Sean Cook who hit a terrific strike into the Frimley net from inside his own half.

Moneyfields recovered from conceding an early goal at Combined Counties outfit Reading Town to win 3-1. A scorching 25-yarder from Gavin Jones put the Moneymen back on terms and they were in front after 25 minutes when James Dunk netted from the penalty spot after the home keeper had pulled down Sean Wayne.

Substitute Gary Jones come on to scramble in a third after 75 minutes leaving Moneyfields secretary Paul Lipscombe to smile: "It was a really hard and bumpy pitch - it was like going to Beirut to play!"

Manager Jon Gittens was a happy man after watching Jamie Musselwhite bag a brace in their 2-0 victory at Cove.

"I'm very pleased, we've played very well away from home on a difficult surface on a very hot day. The early goal set us up nicely and there is a very good spirit in the camp at the moment and we are picking up the results," said Gittens.

Whitchurch United also chalked up a 2-0 success at Chessington United where second-half blows by Cliff Power and Steve Aldridge confirmed their place in the hat for today's draw.

Manager Derek Smalley said: "We played very well and probably could have had a couple more goals, we needed the win to lift the confidence which had been knocked recently."