by Mike Vimpany

Team Solent sprang a significant FA Vase third round shock when they scored within 30 seconds of the kick off to beat South Western Peninsular League champions Bodmin Town 1-0 at Test Park.

Curtis Thorne’s header decided the tie, leaving the Solent University students as the Sydenhams Wessex League’s sole survivors in the last 32 of the competition.

Blackfield & Langley crashed out 5-0 at Exmouth, while Bemerton Heath Harlequins went down 3-2 at home to Melksham Town, writes Mike Vimpany.

Team Solent’s decisive goal came after just 28 seconds against a strongly fancied Bodmin side which had won 16 times in an unbeaten 19 match run stretching back to an August bank holiday FA Cup defeat by Bideford.

Picking up the ball just inside the right-hand touchline, Jesse Waller-Lassen turned Bodmin defender Callum Martindale inside out before picking out Thorne, who climbed in a crowded goalmouth to send a glancing header past a scrambling Kyle Moore.

It was Thorne’s first-ever goal for Team Solent – and how crucial it proved.

The Southampton students were pushed on to the back foot for long periods after that, with goalkeeper Bradley Banda tipping a dangerous cross-shot from Bodmin top scorer Adam Carter away for a corner and then using his outstretched legs to make a desperate goal-line save.

Central defender Ellis White and Thorne both picked up yellow cards as Bodmin pumped up the pressure, only to see a 20-yarder from Dan Sullivan fly off target.

As half-time approached, Tyrell Mitford missed a glorious chance of doubling Solent’s lead when he headed over the bar.

At the opposite end the Wessex Leaguers hung on as Thorne cleared off the line and Sullivan dragged a shot wide.

Bodmin continued to enjoy a lion’s share of the possession after the break, but Solent remained resolute at the back seldom allowing the Cornishmen sight of goal.

Despite being short on possession, Solent created the better chances, with Mitford again off target and the hard working Waller-Lassen hitting Bodmin on the break, only to drill his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Bodmin continued to be frustrated as Team Solent picked up second phase possession – and almost doubled their lead when only a fine save by Kyle Moore at the foot of the left-hand upright denied substitute Matt Sheedy a goal.

Mitford again and then Tobi Adekunle wasted chances to seal it as Solent continued to break out of defence – only to fluff their lines.

It set up a frantic finale as Bodmin forced three stoppage time corners – Banda making one breathtaking save from Adam Kelly as Team Solent somehow hung on to clinch their place in Monday’s fourth round draw.