Football matches are sometimes a bit like Marmite, and Saturday’s FA Cup First Round Qualifying tie against Whyteleafe certainly seemed to divide opinion. For some of those leaving the Charles Century Stadium, it had been a fairly dull display but for others, it was 90 minutes spent wondering which way the game was going to fall. This particular author sits firmly in the latter camp. Goals might have been in short supply, but jeopardy, questionable decisions, near misses, tackles, frustration and the feeling that absolutely anything could happen were most certainly not.

Crowborough started brightly and enjoyed much of the early control. Marcus Goldsmith had the first real punt at goal after three minutes, comfortably gathered by the AFC Whyteleafe keeper, while the visitors repeatedly found themselves caught offside as they attempted to get in behind the Crows defence. When they did find a way through on 16 minutes, their effort found the side netting.

Things became increasingly scrappy as the half wore on. Goldsmith produced what can only really be described as a ninja tackle and AFC Whyteleafe began finding more opportunities around the Crowborough box. A dangerous AFC Whyteleafe free kick was dealt with by a four-man wall, although there may have been some creative interpretation of where exactly this should have been taken from. Anyway, it came to nothing so we won't sweat the small stuff.

Harry Reed’s afternoon ended early, with Taitt-Bolaji replacing him on 36 minutes, and the substitute very nearly enjoyed the perfect introduction two minutes later when his first meaningful touch on the ball was a goal opportunity that unfortunatly flew over the post. At the other end, Whyteleafe struck the post on 39 minutes. Somehow, despite chances at both ends, the sides went into the break at 0-0 and if we are being honest, that was a fair half time result.

If the first half had simmered, the second began to acquire that unmistakable FA Cup edge. Challenges became more frequent, decisions became more debatable and both teams knew one moment could decide their place in the next round. Martin Grant produced one of the moments of the afternoon on the hour, making a superb save as the ball cannoned around both posts without crossing the line thank to his trusty defence Hearts were firmly in mouths but Grant was in control, of course he was!

AFC Whyteleafe eventually broke the deadlock on 72 minutes, although this left dpuble the helpings of a bitter taste as there were calls for a foul on Crowborough in the succession of play that went ignored. With 15 on the clock it turned a tense afternoon into a chase for Crowborough. Durrell replaced Francis at 77 and the Crows looked for a route back into the tie, but things could easily have become worse when AFC Whyteleafe went agonisingly close to doubling their advantage on 79 minutes.

Then, almost immediately, the game swung the other way.
Brady Ayoola broke forward and won Crowborough a penalty being brought down in the box. Elliott Duncan stepped up and, with the pressure of the FA Cup sitting squarely on his shoulders, converted to make it 1-1. From almost staring at a two-goal deficit to being level in a matter of moments, it was exactly the sort of chaos this competition does rather well.

Harry Forster had a late effort gathered as Crowborough searched for a winner, while both sides continued to push through the closing stages. Four additional minutes came and went, but neither could find the decisive touch.

So, after 90 minutes, absolutely nothing has been settled. Crowborough Athletic 1, AFC Whyteleafe 1, and we get to do the whole thing again on Wednesday night.
Was it a classic? Probably not. Was it dull? Depends who you ask. But take away the number of goals and it offered plenty of what the FA Cup promises at this level. Tension, a few moments that left everyone wondering what they had just witnessed, and two teams refusing to let their cup journey end without a fight.

The “what if” survives for a few more days. Wednesday awaits.

Player of the match was awarded to Carter Ryan who was absolutely brilliant today and did not stop from start to finish.