KYLE TAKES IT TO THE ISLAND
JERSEY Bulls are still dreaming in the FA Cup but squandered a two-goal lead as spirited Sutton Common Rovers fought back.
The Step 5 channel islanders are expecting another four-figure crowd for the big midweek replay in what is their debut cup campaign.
They could well have booked their place in the next round after Luke Campbell and Sol Soloman bagged a quick double before Sutton’s Ryan Dacres-Smith crucially pulled one back before the break.
Kyle Henry then equalised for the higher-league side but neither were able to find a winner during a frantic final ten minutes.
“A draw was probably a fair result, it was a decent game,” said Jersey boss Gary Freeman.
“I thought in the last 20 minutes we had a few chances and we might have nicked it.
“We’ve showed today we
Campbell 36, Soloman 40
can compete at this level and I think we’d be competitive at it.
“That’s where we want to be but it’s pleasing to still be in the cup and still dream.”
Their cup hopes came alive in a crazy six-minute spell which followed a drab opening half hour.
Only Jersey star Soloman had come close to breaking the deadlock when he went through and was denied by keeper Mackenzie Foley.
Sutton, who play at EFL new boys Sutton United’s home, were slow out of the blocks and eventually fell behind as centre-back Luke Campbell headed the Combined Counties League Premier South side in front from Jay Giles’ in-swinging corner.
Then it was two, four minutes later, when Soloman burst through after combining with striker Kieran Lester and
rounded Foley to score his eighth goal of the competition.
Sutton, enjoying a club-best run in the cup, reignited their hopes when midfielder Brendon Murphy-McVey delivered a delicious cross for Ryan Dacres-Smith to head in.
“Getting the goal back before half-time was crucial,” said Commoners manager Darren Salmon. “It was a good test of character for us. Jersey were excellent, they settled quicker than us, they came with a plan and executed it to get two goals ahead which they looked good value for.
“We went into half-time believing we could win the game, instead all we could do was win the second half and a trip to Jersey.
“Over the two halves it probably evened itself out. We’re pleased with that.”
Salmon will find out which of his players are able to take time off work to make the trip on Tuesday after Murphy-McVey tricked his way into the box in the second half and delivered the cross for Henry to volley home the equaliser.
He almost scored the third himself when a free-kick deflected off the Jersey wall and had to be tipped over by Jonny Willows.
Foley, though, was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the second half, catching two efforts from Soloman having been beaten by Luca Margaroli but the forward was offside.
A goal looked like it was coming in the closing stages – both sides knowing one would be fatal – and when the chance fell to Jersey substitute Jonny Le Quesne on the edge of the box, he shot narrowly wide. STAR MAN: Sol Soloman (Jersey Bulls)
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★