Emirates FA Cup 2021/22 Preliminary Round Replay

Sutton Common Rovers FC v Steyning Town Community FC (Wednesday 25th August 2021)

Last weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Halesowen Town and Sutton Coldfield Town in the preliminary round. Tonight it was Sutton Common Rovers "at home" to Steyning Town Community in a preliminary round replay. I promise I'm not a Sutton-obsessive, after all there are others. Sutton Athletic in Kent, Bishop Sutton near Bristol, and obviously new members of The Football League, Sutton United. If you're reading this, Chris Sutton, don't worry...you're safe.

I say "at home" because I was expecting to be paying a visit to Gander Green Lane, the home of Sutton United, where The Commoners ground-share. However, after some wet weather causing delays in pitch upgrades Sutton United have had to postpone the start of their home campaign in League Two.

So it was off to Merland Rise, the home of Banstead Athletic FC, for me and 83 other hardy souls to witness this gateway to the first qualifying round. The Commoners (founded 1978) from Step 4 versus The Barrowmen of Steyning Town (founded 1892) from Step 5.


The Commoners have reached the first qualifying round of the FA Cup in the last two seasons, and their bright start gave a pretty clear indication there was a fair chance they would be doing so again. After just 2 minutes, they took a 1-0 lead thanks to Tyrell Butler. On the half hour Butler served up his second. 2-0 to The Commoners who continued to show their attacking intent and quality throughout the first half.

A worldie from Kyle Henry made it 3-0 after 34 minutes before an even worldier from Kiyo Brown made it 4-0 after just 36 minutes. Check out Kiyo Brown on The Google and you'll find a video of that 4th goal - a great long range shot into the bottom corner. No chance for the Steyning Town custodian and no need to consider the possibility of extra-time and penalties.


There was no shortage of effort and commitment from either team in the second half under the Banstead floodlit sky, but it remained 4-0 despite the efforts of both sides to advance the scoreline further. 

Sutton Common Rovers will be away to Isthmian League Premier League high flyers Cray Wanderers in the first qualifying round.

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