Heathens stand tall in the shadows of Canary Wharf to reach FA Cup third qualifying round

Jack Shakespeare. Glenn Alcock

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Soul Tower Hamlets FC 0, Flackwell Heath 2

Flackwell Heath rolled up their sleeves and put in a real shift to ensure they defeated step 5 side Soul Tower Hamlets FC and book their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 11 years.

In the shadow of Canary Wharf at the Mile End Stadium, the Heathens had to stand tall like the skyscrapers in the distance as they produced a resilient away display to seal a 2-0 victory.

Having come to terms with Soul Tower’s physical approach in the first half, the Heathens then showed their quality on the ball to take the lead in the 50th minute.

New signing Jabir Laraba and Elias Grant were involved, interchanging passes before Grant slipped a great pass through for Jack Shakespeare to lift the ball over Sidi Haidara to make it 1-0.

It proved a pivotal moment in the match, and it gave the Heathens extra motivation to hold onto their lead in the face of some intense pressure from the home side.

Soul Tower Hamlet’s hopes weren’t helped when Keanu Hill was sent off for a second bookable offence in second half stoppage time, but they continued to press forward looking for an equaliser.

Flackwell’s second goal came deep into stoppage time and on the counterattack. The defence pumped the ball forward and Harlem Hale won a foot race with Haidara - who’d raced out of his area on the left. Hale then kept his composure to roll the ball into the empty net past covering Soul defenders.

Both goals from yesterday’s FA Cup victory!

⚽ 50’ – Just five minutes after the restart, Jack Shakespeare capped off a brilliant passing move to put us ahead. 0-1

⚽ 90+8’ – With Tower Hamlets down to 10 men, returning striker Harlem Hale came off the bench to seal the… pic.twitter.com/8VoDM7zADp

— Flackwell Heath FC (@FHFC1907) September 14, 2025

The result means Flackwell advance to the third qualifying round draw for the first time in over a decade, with that draw set to take place at 1pm today (Monday).

Speaking to club media after the game, Flackwell boss Chris Ayres said: “We put in an unbelievable shift. From the start we knew what we’d be up against. We defended and put our bodies on the line. Every long ball that came into our box we headed away and we cleared the second balls as well. We did that as best we could do. We’re probably not the best side at doing that, but today we had to be. Getting to half-time, being 0-0 with them having the wind was a big bonus.

“We knew we’d have some quality in us. The first goal was an outstanding goal, the combination play from Eli (Elias Grant) making the pass for Shaky to score.

“The goal gave us that lift to defend even more, to put our bodies on the line. The quality of Jabs (Jabir Laraba) coming off his man and linking up with Eli’s and his pass to Shaky running forward was brilliant. That was the pivotal one, and we were then up against it. Physicality wise, I was a bit worried about some of the boys. I was worried some of the boys might get hurt, but we managed to get through it ok.

“Nothing, negative. It’s the furthest we’ve got in the FA Cup for a long time. The money is great for the club. But just for the boys. We move forwards with positivity because it’s a massive competition and we all want to watch the FA Cup and be in the FA Cup.

“I don’t think we’ll go to many more places as difficult as this.

“I thought Eli came in for his first start for a while and he was outstanding. He had a great game.

“But when you keep a clean sheet, you look at your back four and your goalkeeper. The two centre halves today Callum (Mapley) and Peggy (Lewis Pegg) they won everything and headed and kicked everything. They got shoved around and fouled but they stuck to it and those two were joint men of the match.”

While in action in the FA Cup on Saturday, results elsewhere have seen Flackwell slip to ninth in the Southern League Central Division. They are back in league action at home to Leverstock Green on Saturday (3pm kick-off).