Unless there is something in the annals of county FA or leagues cup competitions this was the first meeting between our two clubs even though we are just ten miles apart – and barely four miles on matchday. The Lingers were looking to build on a good performance against our league leaders Eastbourne United last time out, and Chipstead were fresh from a 3-0 win over our recent Surrey Cup conquerors, Sheerwater.

No great surprise that the opening of the match saw both sides sparring as they looked find out how each team played such that it took over ten minutes for anything of note to happen. Just after that point Reon Donkor was set up for a shot from the left of the box that fizzed past the right post. Nearly ten minutes later it was lovely control of a long pass by Kwesi Ntim on the left of the box that set up a chance for Donkor again but his shot was over the bar. With twenty-five minutes played it was the visitors who went closest as a shot from the right of the box pinged off the top of the cross bar. A minute later we had an instance of the new countdown rules as Sang Baek was counted out in possession of the ball. It was harsh as he was unable to hear the referee counting down the five seconds so it was fortunate that Chipstead's corner came to nothing.

A good burst forward by Chipstead on the half hour was stopped by a superb tackle inside the penalty area by Luke Richardson. From the resulting corner, the ball was recycled by Chipstead and deflected wide of the left post for a corner but a goal kick was awarded. A minute later while looking comfortable in the middle of our half to keep the visitors at bay, we just switched off and allowed them to slide the ball into our box for a good finish past the advancing Baek for 1-0. Going behind acted as a spur to finish the half strongly as with ten minutes left, Taurean McDonald-Roberts put a lovely ball into the box from the left wing. Gabriel Odunaike was under it with their keeper who got a fist on it to clear. Recycling possession around the penalty area, Yusuf McGregor fired the ball into the six yard box forcing the keeper to turn it around the right post for a corner.

Nothing came from the corner but a free kick from the right with six minutes to play caused a scramble for the ball inside their penalty area only to see Chipstead awarded a free kick. Relief did not last long as a nice passing move across our backline kept the Chipstead players up the field while the ball was then sent down the left for McDonald-Roberts to deliver into the box for Odunaike. Their keeper got a hand to it but did not clear it and with the ball in the six yard box McGregor was able to tuck it home to equalise. Two minutes later a ball in from the right wing was deflected out to Odunaike to have a shot. With their keeper out of position it needed a defender to hook the ball off the line, grateful the Odunaike's shot was not hit harder. Into added time and Alex Kpakpe was clattered following a shot from the edge of D bringing a free kick. Ntim took the kick that was saved by the keeper and it was 1-1 at the break.

Five minutes into the second half and Kai Nokoe produced a nice piece of skill collect the ball on the right touch line, beat a man and then put in a cross that Donkor headed over. On 52mins the visitors were threatening from a break down the left but in moving the ball around a player had strayed offside. Five minutes later a short routine from our free kick on the left drew a save from the keeper and then a shot by Ntim from the left went over the bar. On the hour McGregor kept possession on the right and took the ball into the box to win a throw. From the throw in, a Chipstead player dived across to block the ball and it looked like a hand ball but nothing was given. On 64mins a shot from McDonald-Roberts was blocked with the loose ball coming to Ntim on the left for a shot across the goal. A first change followed as an injury to Odunaike brought on Aiden Payne-James for his debut.

Just over twenty minutes to go and a free kick from left of the penalty area by Kristian Belousas was straight into the keeper's arms. As the clock ticked down to a quarter of an hour to play and a heart in mouth moment when Nokoe missed a clearance in the box giving Chipstead an opening. He recovered and helped out by Baek, averted the danger. Nokoe was replaced by Jordan Bartley-Daye just after. On 79mins a driving run by Ntim into their box ended with a shot where the ball fell to Payne-James to score on his debut. The visitors roused themselves to try to equalise and take the game to a shoot out at least but we were still comfortable. With three minutes remaining from a free kick on the left, McDonald-Roberts fired a shot into the side netting. A final change as McGregor was replaced by William English to help see out the game. Into added time and the visitors were trying to earn free kicks around the penalty area and Stephen Hodge stood firm as their forward was backing into him and went down looking for a penalty. The ball went out for a Chipstead throw and with the ball cleared away downfield the final whistle came.

The Lingers go into the Second Round draw for the first time since our best run of three seasons ago. The competition remains regional so that teams will not have to travel too far yet and there are still 64 Tier 10 teams left in the draw that we could be paired with. The next round is on 31 October so the league fixture at Billingshurst will be postponed. Our neighbours Crawley Down Gatwick and Haywards Heath Town will enter the competition at this round, to join AFC Varndeanians, East Grinstead Town, Eastbourne United, Hassocks and Pagham from our league. Last season's winners AFC Stoneham have moved up to the FA Trophy along with AFC Whyteleafe's conquerors Whitstable Town, and Ascot United from the season before. The other two winners in the last five years have already been knocked out so could it be a new winner this season?