Little Common back in competitive action with hard-fought FA Cup win

With the majority of last season’s squad retained, manager Russell Eldridge included summer signing Cam Clark in the starting eleven and youngster Freddie Warren on the bench. In front of a large crowd at the Oaks, it was a relatively even opening to the game with neither keeper being tested in the early stages.

The first chance fell to the hosts when a near post corner was flicked across goal and diverted towards the bottom corner of the goal, but with Matt Cruttwell beaten, Olli Weeks was on hand to clear off the line. At the other end the best opportunity for the Commoners also came courtesy of a corner when Lewis Parsons rose highest but his header across goal just fell the wrong side of the post.

A quick break from the hosts saw forward Matt Black released in the area but his effort cleared the cross bar and the game remained goalless at the interval.

A floodlight failure during the half time break saw a delayed start to the second half but it was the Commoners who were the quickest out of the blocks drawing two smart saves from the home keeper in the opening minutes – first a driving run and shot from Sam Ellis was turned around the near post before a delightful move involving Kian Moynes, Nick Richardson and Lewis Hole saw the latter having his goal bound effort palmed to safety.

Common’s pressure soon paid off and it was Ryan Alexander who hit the target with a well placed header from a Moynes corner in the 53rd minute to give Common the lead. Moynes almost doubled the lead moments later but once again the Uckfield stopper was on hand to tip his effort over the bar.

The hosts came back into the game and started asking more questions of the Common defence but keeper Cruttwell dealt comfortably with deliveries into the box and the central defensive pairing of Alexander and Parsons remained resolute. The closest Uckfield came to an equaliser was following a corner but after a goal mouth scramble,

Cruttwell was able to hold onto the ball on the goal line. Common continued to look dangerous on the break and saw out the contest without too many scares and will now play either Punjab United or Stansfeld in the next round on the 12th September.

Squad: Cruttwell, Clark, Weeks (Miriam-Batchelor), Ward, Alexander (Eldridge), Parsons, Moynes, Feakins, Hole, Richardson, Ellis (Warren)