Kirkley & Pakefield progressed to the next stage of this season’s FA Cup with a comprehensive victory at King George V Playing Fields and in doing so pocketed £1,925 in prize money.
Whitton boss Glenn Snell was left disappointed with the performance.
“There was a lack of belief and leadership in the team,” he said.
“We have to iron out our mistakes and keep working to put this right and with all the new faces it’s going to take time.”
The visitors pressed from the off and Whitton ‘keeper Liam Jones soon went full-stretch to push away a dangerous cross from Matthew Brown.
Jordan Haverson was a constant threat to the home defence and from one of his powerful surges the ball fell to skipper Ross King who set up Kyle Baker for the opener on 17 minutes as he stroked the ball into the bottom corner.
The new-look Whitton side were offering little in attack and Luis Tibbles in the Royals’ goal was largely untroubled apart from palming away a Tom Trevivian free-kick.
The pattern of play remained unchanged as Haverson cut in from the left only for Jones to smother at the near post, Jones then denied Brown after the defender worked an opening for himself from a short corner.
Just before the break Ross Gilfedder could have doubled Kirkley’s lead but he headed over when well-placed.
Snell introduced James Burnett for Franco Mallardo in midfield at half-time yet it made little difference as Baker went close again, before Lewis Flower’s header was cleared off the line by Josh Hubert.
Camillo Douglas wriggled through and forced Tibbles into a save on the hour mark.
However, Kirkley were soon back on top and made the game safe 10 minutes from time as Baker skilfully got to the byline before squaring the ball to King who easily converted the second.
The visitors still pushed for a third but a last-ditch tackle from Warren Smith and another good stop by Jones from King denied them.
The icing on the cake was delivered for them however, with the last kick of the game as midfielder Cameron Brooks produced the goal of the game as he advanced through the midfield and cracked a tremendous 25-yarder into the top corner.
While Snell was disappointed, his counterpart, Gaven Tipple was delighted with his side – his only criticism being that they could have been more clinical in front of goal.
“This is my first season as manager and I heard that Whitton have been a bit of a bogey side for us in the past so its good to get this one out of the way,” he said.
As for Kirkley’s prospects for the season, Tipple added: “All we can do is try and win as many games as we can and see where it takes us.”
Whitton: Jones, Hammond, Smith, Trevivian, Knott, Griggs, Hubert, Mallardo (Burnett 45), Douglas, Berry (Minns 77), Tavares (Ingram 56). Sub not used: Snell
Kirkley & Pakefield: Tibble, Grint, Brown, Lopez, Herbert, Flower, Haverson, Brooks, Gilfedder (Tacon 77), King, Baker. Subs not used: George, Brown, Fisher
Referee: T King
Attendance: 57
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