Sutton enter the FA Cup this weekend, welcoming Billericay Town to Gander Green Lane in the 4th qualifying round. It’s the first time U’s have been drawn at home at this stage since Roarie Deacon’s injury time header against Forest Green in 2016 paved the way for a never to be forgotten run to the fifth round, but despite being drawn away U’s have still negotiated this stage in the two subsequent seasons, winning 3-2 at Paulton two years ago and then clinching a thrilling win at Wealdstone last season, Aaron Drinan’s stoppage time winner (above, being celebrated) coming moments after Jamie Butler had saved a penalty.
U’s have a pretty good record when drawn at home in the 4th qualifying round, only beaten twice in twelve games, by Witney in 1971 and Dartford in 1978, and of the five games that were drawn, U’s won four of the replays.
Billericay have reached the first round on five occasions, most recently last season when they lost to Chesterfield in a replay, and have beaten Basildon and Bath City, both at home, to reach this stage. In National League South they are without a win in their last five games, although four of those were drawn before a defeat last Saturday at Slough, and they currently lie 8th in the table.
The sides have met in the FA Cup once before, in 2008 when U’s won 3-1 in a second qualifying round tie at Gander Green Lane.
Jamie O’Hara, the former Spurs and Wolves midfielder, took over as manager recently after the departure of Harry Wheeler for a second time, and is likely to include former U’s Alan Julian and Moses Emmanuel in his squad tomorrow.
Sutton will be looking to find their scoring form after four consecutive games without a goal, with Omar Bugiel expected to be fit enough to return to the squad which will be missing Dale Bennett following the defender’s retirement this week.
If tomorrow’s game is drawn the replay will be at Billericay on Tuesday, after Monday’s first round draw in which the last club left in the pot will receive a bye to the second round following Bury’s demise earlier this season.
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