FOLLAND Sports breezed past Downton 5-1 to book an all-Sydenhams Premier FA Cup preliminary round trip to AFC Portchester on August 30.

But there was some bad news for Danny Bowers’ men.

Alresford’s 1-1 draw with Christchurch means the Planemakers will not be welcoming the Magpies to Follands Park in the league tonight. That, in turn, means Follands’ pair Jake Long and Will Harris – who had been due to start three-match bans tonight – will be suspended for the Portchester game.

“They’re both midfielders, so it leaves us a bit light in that department and we’re in the market for a replacement,” confirmed manager Danny Bowers.

With goalkeeper Ryan Gosney back for his first appearance of the season and forward Ryan Long returning after a two-match absence due to work commitments, Follands had too much for Sydenhams One outfit Downton.

Ashley Jarvis netted a close-range opener before Ryan Long doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Jarvis had been pulled down in the box.

Downton’s Paul Gulliver responded with the goal-of-the-game early in the second half but that only served to get Follands going again as James Roden, Jarvis and outstanding skipper Jamie Barron sealed an easy victory.

“It was really comfortable for us against probably the worst Downton side I’ve seen,” said Bowers. “Whenever we played (ex-manager) Jeff Softley’s Downton sides they were always tight affairs, but this was very one-sided. If we’d put our foot on the pedal a bit, we’d probably have got another five.

“Their goal was a fantastic strike. We gave the ball away, they took a throw-in and the lad’s smashed in a beauty from about 25 yards. But, apart from that, I don’t think Gos (Gosney) had anything else to do.”