Framlingham Town boss Mel Aldis is hoping to avoid the dreaded second season slump after the Castlemen started their 2017/18 campaign with a bang by winning their first-ever FA Cup fixture.

The Suffolk side hosted Wadham Lodge last weekend and ground out a 0-0 draw, playing the last half hour with ten men to secure a replay in London on Wednesday night.

And they duly made the most of their trip to the capital with an impressive 3-1 win, Simon Poacher grabbing a brace – including the opener after three minutes – and Jake Taylor adding a third.

It means the club pocket £1,500 and will host newly-promoted Bostik North side Mildenhall Town in the next round of the Cup on Saturday, August 19.

Before that, they get their Thurlow Nunn Division One campaign underway on Saturday, hosting Braintree Reserves. Last season, their first in Thurlow Nunn, the Castlemen defied the odds to finish seventh.

“It was a great night all round,” said Aldis of the famous Cup win. “Having drawn on Saturday we went off to London not really knowing what to expect but we took our chances and going one up after three minutes was a great confidence boost.

“It’s been brilliant for Fram. I’ve been around for a few years and some of the committee members have been too – I don’t think they ever thought they’d see Fram play in the FA Cup, let alone win. Everyone is on cloud nine.

“I think we could probably have done with a bit of easier tie in the next round, they’re two leagues above us so it’s a big step up but we’ll give it our best shot.

“We know we’ll have at least one more great day, and you just never know in football – there’s always at least one upset, but it’s going to be a really hard game.”

Of the season ahead, Aldis added: “I’ve got two things on my mind – we always look to improve, but we have to be realistic.

“I just don’t want that second season syndrome! We work so hard at Fram, and we have to continue to do so.

“I’ve got 21 players in the squad and they could all start, and importantly we’ve not lost anyone. I’d be happy to finish in the top seven again and have some excitement in the one of the cups. The long term aim is to get into the Premier, but we can’t run before we can walk.”