Date   29th September 2007     Competition   FA Cup 2Q     Attendance   293

Lineup   1 Gareth Williams     2 Liam Pestle      3 Alan Bray     4 John Scarborough     5 Asher Hudson     6 Paul Honey     7 Nicky Greene    68 Buari 8 Bashiru Alimi      9 Warren McBean   68 Graham 10 Craig Watkins     11 Craig Tanner   78 Taiwo         12 Malik Buari     14 Zak Graham     15 Solomon Taiwo     16 Ross White     17 Phil Wilson

U's were out of the blocks like sprinters. When McBean was blocked, Honey's pass was handled. As the defender tried to delay the kick he left McBean free to be picked out by Honey's quick kick and although McBean's cross was headed out, Greene was on hand to volley home from 18 yards after just 27 seconds. Instead of providing inspiration, the goal failed to lift Sutton's confidence and both sides resorted to an ineffective long ball game. Woodford managed just one shot, a 25-yarder that Williams gathered easily. Finalaly Sutton started to pass the ball and chances arrived like buses in the last twenty minutes. Tanner ghosted inside part three men and exchanged passes with Watkins, but with only keeper Finlay to beat he shot too straight and let the keeper kick the ball clear. McBean then tried to set up an almost identical chance but overhit his pass to Tanner and the move petered out for a goal-kick. A long clearance by Williams found McBean in space, he cut in past the last defender but then shot straight at the keeper. Bray almost doubled the lead, sliding onto Scarborough's flick from a corner but his effort came back off the post.

U's began the second half with two corners but were then grateful for Pestle shrugging off Goodall as the visiting number 9 tried to race onto a long ball, allowing Williams to gather. The game was being played out in the Woodford half but U's were still way below their best and although Finlay had to come quickly off his line three times to deny McBean (twice) and Watkins, U's best chance was a 35-yard lob-volley by Pestle that Finlay tipped over the bar. When the lead is only 1-0 it is always precarious, even if the opposition haven't had a shot at goal all half,  and U's paid for not killing the game off when Taiwo slipped and lost possession, and Pestle needlessly brought down his man to allow Burnham the chance to level from the spot. U's have a chance to make amends on Monday but they will need to raise their game and be deadlier in front of goal.