EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
SATURDAY 10 AUGUST 2019
EGHAM TOWN 2 (0)
Tyler John (87), Omar Hassan (89)
LANCING 2
Lewis Finley (28), Kane Lewis (70)

It was not looking good for manager Carl Palmer and his team with time running out in this FA Cup tie against Macron Southern Combination Premier side Lancing. Egham Town had played quite well against hardworking opposition, but had gone two down in the 70th minute and had seen Kiemon Robinson sent off for his second caution in six minutes. Then, in the 87th and 89th minutes they grabbed the goals that had never looked like coming to earn a replay on Tuesday at Lancing’s Culver Road ground.
The two teams had come to this tie with differing fortunes, Egham having lost their opening two games while Lancing have six points. Despite this the game was evenly contested right up to point Lancing took a 28th minute lead. Not long before Egham’s Anthony Thomas was flagged offside as he fired past Jack Gunn in the Lancers’ goal, then Egham were caught in possession on the edge of their area and Lancing passed their way through the back line, Lewis Finley getting the final touch. It was unfortunate for a Sarnies team yet to find a definitive First XI but who have some very skilful players. In the last minute of the half, off Anthony Thomas’ pass, Robinson made his way to the byline for a low cross that Ashley Elson nearly converted.
Omar Hassan replaced Costa Rodrigues at half time and eleven minutes later moved Kildane Tesfu’s pass into Robinson’s path for a shot that was scuffed wide. Robinson was wide of the mark once more then Lancing made clear the importance of taking chances as Kane Louis fired a half volley in off Sam Freeman’s left post. Robinson fired another shot inches past the target and was then booked for dissent. Six minutes later he went in for a challenge which saw Josh Clayman drop to the deck, and referee Ryan Woods showed a second yellow. At this point Egham’s season tally was one goal scored followed by seven conceded, and two dismissals in three games. Then Lancing’s defence overplayed the ball in their area, it all went wrong for them and right for Egham and Tyler John smashed in the loose ball. Egham were revived and two minutes later Tesfu raced down the left before drilling in a cross that beat all except Hassan, haring in at the back post and ramming the ball in.
Egham were pencilled in for a trip to Ashford Town (Mx.)’s Robert Parker Stadium to face tenants Southall but will be making the trip to West Sussex instead. The winners will travel to Horsham YMCA, who beat Croydon 2-1.
On Saturday the Sarnies are at home again, in the CCL Premier, for their first ever game against Balham. Thus far it has not been the “hit the ground running” start manager Palmer would have wanted, but the spirit and determination shown here certainly indicate the sort of team spirit needed to start getting points on the board.
EGHAM TOWN: Sam Freeman, Lekan Ejinwunmi, Kildane Tesfu, Jack Hatcher, Harry Tubb, Keyode Conteh (Captain), Costa Rodriguez, Tyler John, Ashley Elson, Anthony Thomas, Kiemon Robinson. Substitutes: Omar Hassan (Rodrigues, HT), Zaine Gangadeen (Elson, 64), Nathaniel Mensah, (Thomas, 78), Justin Thompson.