FELIXSTOWE & Walton United joint manager Andy Clarke paid tribute to the club’s volunteers after Saturday’s FA first qualifying round victory over Wellingborough Town.

The Seasiders are through to the second qualifying round of the competition for the first time since 1994 – and the first since Felixstowe Town and Walton United merged ten years ago.

Clarke, who first played for Felixstowe as a 15 year-old and has been involved with the club for 20 years, said: “It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces, especially all the volunteers, around the club on Saturday night – and to see the look on the face of chairman Tony Barnes was brilliant.

“I appreciate the fact that so many people work hard for the club, giving up their time behind the scenes, so it was great to see them enjoying themselves.”

Clarke, who only saw the last half-an-hour of the match due to his daughter’s fourth birthday party, said: “We have been poor in a few games in the first half, and I am told we were again on Saturday, but we have a fit, young side who will keep going to the bitter end.

“As long as we are always in touch with the opposition at half time I fancy us to do well in the second period as we worked hard on our fitness in pre-season.

“It was almost a repeat performance of our victory over Team Bury in the previous round,” said Clarke, referring to Felixstowe’s 2-1 win when they also had to come from behind and netted a late winner.

“I am told that over the 90 minutes we just about deserved it. We had Wellingborough watched beforehand and knew they were strong in the middle of the park, so we stopped them getting a grip on the game.”

Saturday’s tie at Dellwood Avenue was watched by a crowd of 191 – around double Felixstowe’s normal gate – and everyone connected with the club will be eagerly waiting to hear who they are paired with in today’s draw.

Clarke added: “Some people would prefer to have a glamour tie, but I think it would be good to have a ‘winnable’ game at home, especially with �5,000 prize money on the table in the next round.”

n Joe Bloomfield and older brother Danny were both on target in the FA Cup on Saturday. Danny scored the second goal in Lowestoft Town’s 7-1 win at home to Desborough Town.