Djalo hat-trick sends Heaton Stannington into FA Cup first qualifying round

Heaton Stannington secured their place in the FA Cup first qualifying round with a 4-2 victory over Kendal Town in a preliminary round replay at The Willow Park, watched by a crowd of 342.

Sado Djalo was the decisive figure, converting three headers to register his first goals for the club. All three came from corners delivered by Cameron Gascoigne, with Djalo's aerial ability proving impossible for Kendal to contain across the evening.

Manager Dean Nicholson had identified that quality when bringing the forward to the club. "He's a huge threat in the air, we knew that when he signed," Nicholson said.

Kendal refused to fold, however. Goals from Jack Milburn and Joe Dickson brought the visitors back to 3-2 and gave the tie a nervy edge. It was Max Storey who settled matters, the former Hartlepool United youngster guiding a deflected effort from the edge of the area to make it 4-2 and seal the win.

The result continues what has become a consistent FA Cup record for the Northumberland club. Heaton Stannington, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One East at Level 8, Step 4 of the English pyramid, will now host Knaresborough Town in the first qualifying round — appearing at that stage of the competition for the fourth time in five seasons.