South Park's first ever FA Trophy game saw the Sparks run out 5-1 winners away at Cheshunt on Saturday, with Mat Ward and Dave Smith both scoring twice and Jack Watts also on target.
Park were missing Chris Smith, Kieran Lavery and Joe Jackson, who between them have scored 25 goals this season for their first ever FA Trophy game.
Manager Joe McElligott paired Mat Ward and Dave Smith upfront and it wasn't long before Ward found the back of the net. With three minutes on the clock Stafford's throw was flicked on and Ward stabbed the ball home from close range.
Dave Smith's cross found Watts who shot straight at the keeper. Ward was on target again in the 13th minute when he headed home Watt's right wing cross.
Jamie Hatfield's ball into the box was headed over the bar by the Cheshunt centre half under pressure from Ward.
A quick break from Cheshunt caught Park off guard and James Wastell pushed the shot onto the post to keep Park's two goal advantage.
Hatfield's corner was then punched up in the air by the home keeper however Ward's header went wide of the post.
Jack Higgins flick found Dave Smith who fired over the bar. Cheshunt pulled a goal back on the half hour when Tajbakhsh curled a shot just inside the far post from the edge of the Park area to give the hosts hope.
However their joy was short lived as Ward's clever flick sent Dave Smith free and he calmly placed his shot past the keeper and into the corner of the net to restore Park's two goal lead.
Nathan Ayling cleared a Cheshunt attack in his own box and Jack Stafford cleared over his own bar as Park went at half time 3-1 up.
Cheshunt started the second period on the attack with Ayling have to clear over his bar to deny the hosts.
Dave Smith shrugged off his marker and his shot across the keeper from the edge of the box hit the post.
Danny Guscott's block tackle on the edge of his own area thwarted the home side.
Park then wrapped up the game with two goals in a minute. The first coming from Jack Watts who nipped in front of his marker to latch on to Ayling's 40 yard diagonal ball to calmly lift he ball over the advancing keeper in the 52nd minute.
Dave Smith then made it 5-1 to Park running on to his own flick on he shot past the keeper from 15 yards. David's chip over the defence found Dave Smith who shot over the bar.
Wastell tipped a long range effort over the bar before having to rush out to the edge of his box to thwart a Cheshunt attack. With four minutes to go Jack Higgins was sent off for receiving his second caution in the game.
This victory has earned South Park a home tie against Ryman Division One North side Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round on Saturday 1st November.
Park have three home games before the Heybridge Swifts game starting tomorrow (Tuesday) when they entertain Guildford City in the Surrey Senior Cup.
Park return to league action on Saturday when East Grinstead Town are the visitors to Whitehall Lane with Folkestone Invicta the opponents a week on Tuesday (28/10).
South Park: Wastell, David, Hatfield, Stafford, Guscott, Watts, Higgins, Michael Smith, David Smith, Ward, Ayling. Subs: Joyce, Parratt, Rice.
