I looked at my pages of notes and wondered how to write this report given that between our clubs are 95 other clubs and four tiers and only a government spokesman could find a way to say that our form coming into this cup tie was anything other than poor. I was in attendance the night we went to Dorking Wanderers in the 2021-22 competition as holders of the Surrey Saturday Premier Cup for our first outing in the higher Surrey Senior Cup following our promotion. I was not in this job then so spared having to write a report on a match where the only bright spot was at least we scored in a 12-1 defeat. On this match somebody has already commented that at least we kept them in single figures.

Therefore first up is a background to this competition which began in the 1882-83 season and ended with a 2-1 victory for Reigate Priory over East Sheen in the first final played at Park Lane, Reigate. It has been played every year since except for breaks during both World Wars and of course the recent Covid years. The current competition is open to all clubs registered with the Surrey County FA from Tier 9 upwards and yes, that would mean all the way to the Premier League if they chose to enter. Crystal Palace had another cup competition on their minds this week but they have won the cup in 1997, 2000 and 2001 giving them a 100% record in finals. Wimbledon have won five times in twelve finals but the last was in 1955. However, AFC Wimbledon won in 2005.

Neither club entered this year which leaves Sutton United and our opponents Woking from the National League, and Dorking Wanderers – winners in that 2021-22 season and runners up last season – of National League South as the top clubs this season. Sutton United won in 2003 which was their fifteenth win from twenty-eight finals. Woking have won in 2000, 2004, 2012, 2014 and 2017 for their thirteenth win from twenty-nine finals. Some might say that it will not be their 'first team' but what level of team they put out is up to them as there are no restrictions in the rules. Priorities might change as the season progresses but catching these clubs in the First Round is likely to see them keen to progress.

Dorking Wanderers put out an academy side that included some debutants given that they have a lot of injuries and the FA Cup on Saturday. They were beaten 3-0 at Raynes Park Vale of Tier 8. Sutton United visited Guildford City of Tier 9 in a match that had to be postponed from earlier in the month due to floodlight problems. The manager commented that it would have been a young side first time round but with the First Team needing to pick up form it was a strong side that ran out winners 5-0 and will host AFC Croydon of Tier 8 in Round 2.

In the post match interview the Woking manager said that he wanted the side to progress in the cup and although it was mainly a young academy side he was able to put four or five First Team players in at the moment but admitted it might not always be possible in future rounds. The win earnt them a home tie against Tier 9 Cobham and a chance to progress further next month.

If it was not a full First Team for Woking then neither was it a Lingers side that would take the field for a 'must win' league game given that we had players missing through illness, injury and suspension, and could do without any further problems given our need to get points in the league. So here is our starting eleven:
Jack Webb-Olley, Bailey Neil-Gray, Guyni Nganga, Jaiden Chang, Conor Wilford, David Heaton (captain), Reece Jacobs, Matt Cheeseman, Levi Phillips, Matt Feeney-Hill and Raphael Ntege. On the bench were Noah Agbinone, Kai Neil-Gray, Reese Cartwright and Noah Estrada who all came on in the second half. Louie Erotokritos Staussi was also there as the substitute goalkeeper.

Going behind as early as the fifth minute gave us even more of an uphill struggle. The goal came from our error and despite Jack Webb-Olley spreading himself well the finish was good and just inside the far post. It was clear that this was a side that were sharper, quicker and strong in the tackle but the lads were giving it their all to give them a game. They were able to latch on to any loose pass from us and create openings that we managed to block or they let us off by shooting wide or high. In response Matt Cheeseman had a shot from outside the box that was deflected, Conor Wilford had a shot over the bar and a good interception by David Heaton allowed him to put Raphael Ntege free down the left to centre for Cheeseman to try a shot. Levi Phillips broke clear onto a nice ball out from the back by Wilford after we had patiently passed the ball around at the back. Phillips found Ntege on the left wing but he was stopped by a good tackle and with half an hour played it was still just 1-0.

However, another loss of possession gave Woking an opening and it was 2-0. Woking were putting us under a lot of pressure as the first half was coming to an end but we were able to withstand it. Webb-Olley made a good claim of the ball from a corner and then was there to get in a great block in the final minutes but the ball was back with Woking again. A shot was blocked on the goal line but it had spin on it and crossed the line to make it 3-0. Webb-Olley stopped it from getting worse in added time with another great block.

Inside the opening minutes of the second half, Ntege had a break down the wing and played the ball inside to Heaton where he was clattered for a free kick. It was midway in the Woking half and slightly left of centre but Wilford lined up from a shot and with the keeper grasping fresh air the ball hit the outside of the right post. So close! A valid attempt to prevent a corner by Webb-Olley was not backed up so he ended up giving Woking the opening for goal No. 4 from a narrow angle. It was five two minutes later as they cut down the left, into the box and gave Webb-Olley no chance. It was starting to get a bit worrying at 5-0 with half an hour still to go. Reece Jacobs closed down their defenders and was rewarded with winning the ball and getting in a shot wide of the left post.

Webb-Olley was able to save a shot but in failing to clear our lines, Woking were able to make it 6-0. An offside flag stopped it becoming seven but once again after Webb-Olley did his job to save the shot, failing to clear the ball saw us concede a penalty. No mistake from the spot to make it 7-0 with 69mins played. A poor pass at the back opened us up again and it was 8-0 with still fifteen minutes to play. Webb-Olley came off his line to head a long ball clear that Reese Cartwright latched onto the break away only to be pulled back. It was like being back in the SCFL as the referee blotted a good performance by ignoring this blatant foul. More saves by Webb-Olley including a great double save in added time kept it at 8-0 and pride preserved by avoiding a double figures defeat.