20thoct04

Walker wants to hear the fans

ANDY WALKER insists good, vocal support will see Bromley progress into the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup tonight, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 23-year-old Bromley goalkeeper made a fine save from Craig Watkins to prevent Sutton United racing into a 3-0 lead inside 30 minutes on Saturday before Tony Quinton's headed own goal pulled a goal back for the Ryman League Division One side just before the break.

Colin Luckett's left-footed 25-yard curling free kick brought Stuart McIntyre's men level and Leroy Huggins, Sam Okafor, Chris Hill and Gary Drewett all squandered good chances to seal victory in the second half.

Walker, however, asks all Bromley fans to cheer the side to victory in tonight's re-match, as the club will host another Nationwide South side - Cambridge City - in the next round on 30th October if they overcome Sutton.

"The fans were excellent at Sutton," Walker said.

"We are trying to do the right thing at the club trying to get more fans watching our games.

"Hopefully the people that were at Gander Green Lane will go away and feel they've seen a good game, seeing a little what Bromley can do, and hopefully see the replay and bring a friend."

Victory in the replay is well within Bromley's grasp, according to the former Wingate & Finchley stopper.

"Before Saturday's game I thought we could win," he admitted.

"We went to Sutton and almost proved it."

However, Walker hopes his team-mates will get out of the blocks quicker than they did on Saturday. 

Defender John Scarborough, who played a handful of games for Dover Athletic earlier in the season, headed Sutton into the lead within three minutes before substitute Andy Martin - who was later sent off - rifled the Surrey side into a 2-0 lead after 25 minutes.

"I think we didn't settle down as early as we should," Walker added.

"We gave away a couple of goals and I think if we came out a little bit quicker and stronger we would have walked the game.

"We know we've got nothing to fear - we'll just go and do the same again at Hayes Lane tonight."

Free kick hero, Luckett added: "The fans were brilliant, very vocal and obviously gave us a lift.

"A message for the fans is to turn up tonight and give us all their support!"

With local pride against their arch-rivals at stake, Bromley will be hoping history repeats itself tonight.  The last time Sutton visited Hayes Lane in the FA Cup was for a fourth qualifying round tie in 1996. 

Keith Sharnan scored the only goal of the game, when he fired home the rebound after Mark Loveday - another fans favourite - saw his 25-yard shot blocked by the goalkeeper.

Bromley, however, went out to fellow league rivals, Enfield in the first round proper, who won 3-1 at Hayes Lane in front of a crowd of 2,709.

Bromley v Sutton United
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 20th October 2004
Kick Off 7:45pm
at The Clive Christian Stadium, Hayes Lane, Bromley