TAI Hulbert-Thomas had only one touch of the ball, but it was enough to help Wantage Town win 3-2 at Kidlington in the preliminary round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Shortly after coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute against his former club, Hulbert-Thomas headed the ball home from a corner to put Wantage 2-0 up.
But the striker injured his hip in the process and had to be replaced.
Despite a strong comeback from the hosts, Wantage, who have not won this season in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League, held on for victory and a tie at Weymouth in the next round.
Wantage took the lead in the 17th minute when Aaron Ferris played the ball inside to Harvey Scholes, who controlled it before smashing a super shot, which gave keeper Sam Warrell no chance.
Warrell then made a great save to deny Todd Hathaway.
After Hulbert-Thomas made it 2-0 early in the second half, Kidlington substitute Louis Joyce, who replaced the injured Kristian Thomas early on, pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, firing home from the edge of the box.
Skipper Mark Francis restored Wantage’s two-goal lead in the 71st minute.
Kidlington pushed forward and their pressure finally told in the 85th minute as Henry Owen rose highest at the far post to head home a corner.
But Wantage held on to record a rare victory, while Kidlington were left to lick their wounds.
Kidlington: Warrell, Brownhill, Willoughby, C Weedon, Franklin, McCarthy (Owen 4), Thomas (Joyce 9), Quainton, A Odhiambo, Dunmall, Harvey (Tooke 74).
Wantage Tn: Cavanagh, Elliott, NcNeill, Glover (Hulbert-Thomas 55, Johns 56), Burton, Robinson, Jones, Scholes (Kalakoutis 81), Hathaway, Francis, Ferris. Subs not used; Thompson, Halls.
Attendance: 79.
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