Emirates FA Cup 2021/22 Second Qualifying Round (Part 1)

Sutton Common Rovers FC v Jersey Bulls FC (Saturday 18th September 2021)

I won't go on about it, but just like Phil Collins at Live Aid, I was going for the double-header today. For Wembley Stadium read Gander Green Lane, Sutton and for JFK Stadium Philadelphia read The War Memorial Sports Ground, Carshalton. Against All Odds, I made it.

First up was a tie between a team I'd already seen in this year's competition hosting a team that's been making waves; the top scorers in the FA Cup this season to date. The Commoners versus The Bulls at the home of League Two's Sutton United. On a lovely warm late-summer's day in South London there was No Jacket Required for this live BBC stream.

I like Jersey Bulls style. As they said when launching in 2018, "Jersey may be most famous for its cows, but they'd be nowhere without the bulls." After a cagey start from both sides, Jersey ably demonstrated that you can't beat a bit of Bully by going 2-0 up with a header from Luke Campbell after 36 minutes and a decent strike from Sol Solomon in the 40th minute. The travelling support voiced its approval. Beany The Bull danced his approval. Or perhaps he was thinking of all the cows.

At Face Value this was a pretty fair scoreline. The Commoners simply couldn't keep hold of the ball with pass after pass going astray, gifting possession back to The Bulls. However, just when it seemed that the Commoners were Throwing It All Away, against the run of play there was hope. Ryan Dacres-Smith pulled one back for Sutton in the 42nd minute. A short corner didn't come to much but the follow-up cross saw Dacres-Smith hit the net with an unchallenged header.

Half Time 1-2, in what was becoming a cracker of a lunchtime fixture.

After the break Both Sides were determined to Turn It On Again with an impressive, lively start to the second half. The Commoners passing and movement improved and the entertainment value continued with some high quality end to end action. In the 49th minute there was a slick move the full length of the park from The Bulls resulting in a finish that was just wide. I was really enjoying this cup tie. 

65 minutes. 2-2! A great bit of skill down the right wing saw a decent cross and another header, this time from Kyle Henry. The Bulls then had an effort disallowed with a close but probably correct off-side call. There was about 5 minutes of route one stuff from both teams and pressure from both Commoners and Bulls to find the winner. Sutton survived a last minute goal-mouth scramble and we ended where we started, all square.

A really enjoyable match for the crowd of 322 and shout-out to the Sutton debutant goalie, Mackenzie Foley, who produced a number of fine stops.

And so to the replay....It'll be Another Day In Paradise for the trip to Jersey Bulls' Springfield Stadium. The prize is a place in the third qualifying round to be played over the first weekend of October. 

And for me at 2.25pm I need to get to Carshalton Athletic for a 3pm kick-off. Hello, I Must Be Going!