Sutton Common Rovers first team players Gabbidon, Antonio, Smith all found the net as the first team progress to the 3rd round of the FA Vase, writes Gary Brigden
Wow football....it can give you the highest highs and the lowest lows, but I didn't expect them to come along the space of two crazy minutes at the end of injury time.
Visitors Beckenham Town came to the Lane in good spirits, with just one defeat in their last 16 games and on a nine game unbeaten run. They started brightly, and Frank Warron fired an effort over the bar in the opening minutes as the visitors showed the early intentions.
A great crossfield ball on six minutes by Adam Allon was half cleared by Aaron Bogle, but dropped invitingly to Marvin Algbiosu but his shot went high over the crossbar. Three minutes later and Beckenham opened the scoring. SCR's Nemo Adams was caught dwelling on the ball by Algbiosu, and could only haul down the forward. Thank god for clear markings on the 4G as a free kick rather than a penalty was awarded. It mattered little though, as Jamie Turner fired home a stunning free kick to put Beckenham ahead.
SCR responded positively but were mainly on the back foot, and on 15 minutes a strike by Liam Holden was comfortably gathered by keeper Lewis Moore. Two minutes later and a long ball by Anson Cousins almost set up a chance for Francois Gabbidon but Moore was out quickly to prevent the SCR forward from getting to the ball.
SCR were almost caught again on 19 minutes. Burton went down under a challenge from Algbiosu, and with SCR short on numbers they were grateful to an overhit cross by Turnier giving them back possession.
Chances came at both ends with another decent ball by Turner almost finding Algbiosu, whilst neat interplay between Richie Smith and Antonio set up a chance for Gabbidon, but he blazed his effort over the bar.
Allon set up a chance for Algbiosu on the half hour, but the forward fired wide of Leigh Bowden's left hand post, and at the other end Holden did well to win the ball in the air against Tamar Bilal but Gabbidons strike from the loose ball was soft and comfortable for Moore.
Turner, Bilal and Allon then combined to set up a chance for Justin Hemmings, but he dragged his shot wide of the left hand post. Ten minutes from the break and good play by Allon found Algbiosu but his curled effort drifted over the SCR crossbar.
Burton did well on 39 minutes to clear a dangerous Warron cross from just under his own crossbar as Harry Draper came flying in at the back post. Two minutes from the break and after Gabbidon had been pulled down by Hemmings, a dinked free kick by Holden was only half cleared to Richie Monan but his effort went high over the bar.
Beckenham thought they had increased their lead just before the break when a great ball into the area by Turner was deflected into this own net by the back-tracking Sam Blowers, but fortunately for SCR the flag went up and the goal was chalked off. Algbiosu went into the book for his protests.
There was still time for Monan to talk his way into the book, after he protested to much over a poor challenge, and the booking was to come back and haunt him later in the game. Half time came with Beckenham one goal to the good.
SCR came out in the second half in a positive frame of mind, and knowing they had to stop going so direct if they were to get back into the game. Bowden gathered a long ball ahead of Algbiosu at the start of the half, and SCR failed to capitalise on a long Adams throw, as the ball drifted harmlessly across the face of the Beckenham goal.
SCR were level on 53 minutes, Blowers won the ball in the middle of the park, and found the impressive Antonio, he in turn found Gabbidon and his fierce drive beat Moore, via a deflection to make it 1-1.
With their tails up SCR went close to going ahead immediately, when a driving run by Monan released Holden and his effort beat Moore and cannoned off the Beckenham post. Back at the other end and Allon save his effort saved by Bowden.
Holden went close again on 56 minutes this time latching onto a defence splitting ball by Monan, getting the wrong side of Aziz Kanu but dinking his effort just wide of the left hand post. Beckenham almost retook the lead on 57 minutes, a long ball by Moore was headed backwards by Burton, and then back to Bowden by Cousins - but the radar was off and the ball beat Bowden and fortunately for SCR just went wide of the right hand post.
Smith fired wide on 58 minutes before SCR took the lead on the hour. Monan again was involved and found Gabbidon, he beat his man and found Antonio he hit an absolute screamer from 25 yards beyond Moore for 2-1. Gabbidon then drove into the area and almost set up Holden but a tremendous challenge by Bilal stopped the SCR skipper from getting on the ball.
Allon almost bought Beckenham back into the game, but having got beyond the SCR backline, his cross to the back post drifted harmlessly out for a goalkick. Blowers almost put SCR in trouble on 67 minutes, having first done well to intercept a Beckenham pass, he gave the ball back to James Marshall. His shot was spilt by Bowden, but the SCR keeper recoved quickly to pounce on the loose ball.
Holden fired wide a minute later, and Gabbidon had been denied by a superb challenge in the area by Bilal. Burton then did well to get ahead of Algbiosu as he tried to latch on to a long ball by Hemmings.
Hemmings then put a tremendous ball through to Algbiosu, but Bowden was out smartly to block with his chest. With just under 20 to go a Beckenham through found Warron and his hooked effort went just wide of the SCR post.
SCR were dealt a major blow with 17 minutes remaining, when a mistimed challenge by Monan led to a second yellow and left SCR with a massive uphill battle to see out the game.
Bowden then failed to claim a deep Beckenham free kick on 75 minutes, but Warrons hooked effort drifted over the bar. Substitute Johnaton Louis then got the better of Bogle, but saw his low cross claimed by Bowden.
Beckenham were forcing SCR further and further back and Bowden was forced into a save from Algbiosu on 83 minutes, and a minute later Turner fired an effort wide. Hemmings then fired wide of the right hand post after intercepting Antonios ball across the face of the SCR area.
Holden fouled Kanu on 86 minutes, and Turners free kick was well defended by Bogle and Burton. Adams then launched himself at a Turner shot and saw his header just clear the SCR crossbar. From the corner Adams headed clear as Bilal came flying in at the back post.
Holden crashed an effort off the crossbar deep into injury time, as SCR looked for that clinching goal, but the visitors levelled in the fifth minute of stoppage time. A ball into the area was only half cleared and forced home by Andrew Whorms signalling exuberant celebrations from the Beckenham players and supporters.
That wasn't the end of things though. SCR kicked off and swiftly transferred the ball down the right to Gabbidon, he shrugged off him marker and drilled over a low cross to Smith, he beat one and fired low beyond Moore to put SCR in the 3rd Round.
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