Crowborough Athletic’s FA Cup adventure comes to an end - report and picture gallery

The Crows had their moments, including a superb equaliser from Rushaar Samuel-Smikle, but the visitors struck again to secure their place in the fourth qualifying round. Crowborough depart with £1,875 in prize money, a welcome addition to the coffers after a cup run that ended one round short of a potential meeting with National League opposition.

There was little between the sides during an opening half in which both defences stood firm. Crowborough threatened early when Lloyd Francis whipped in a corner, but the resulting effort cleared the bar.

Elliot Duncan then tried his luck as the hosts regained possession, although Wimborne goalkeeper Kai Crampton dealt comfortably with his shot. The Crows were finding opportunities, but turning those openings into a breakthrough proved another matter.

With more than half an hour played, the tie remained finely balanced. Joshua Turner offered a threat from distance, sending an effort narrowly wide of the post as Crowborough continued to search for the opener.

Rushaar Samuel-Smikle was also involved when a long ball sent him into the penalty area. He attempted to play the ball across, only for the goalkeeper to go to ground and make the save.

At the other end, Wimborne forced two corners in quick succession shortly before the interval. Crowborough dealt with both, ensuring the teams went into the break goalless.

It had been a proper cup contest: competitive, tight and with neither side able to take control. Billy Walker had been a standout performer for the Magpies during a first half that left the outcome very much in the balance.

The breakthrough arrived after the restart. A Crowborough handball gave Wimborne a penalty, and William Puffette tucked his spot-kick into the bottom-left corner to put the visitors ahead.

Duncan came close to levelling for the Crows, but his effort from a tight angle went wide. Crowborough’s response eventually brought its reward through Samuel-Smikle, who produced a superb strike from 20 yards to haul the hosts level and keep their cup hopes alive.

Wimborne, however, found another goal. A corner led to a scramble in the penalty area before the Magpies’ captain smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Charlie Woodling nearly added another for the visitors, heading a cross just over the bar. Crowborough continued to seek a way back, sending a deep free-kick into a crowded penalty area, but Wimborne cleared the danger.

For the Crows, that was the end of the road. They had stayed in the contest and produced a moment of quality, but Wimborne’s second goal proved decisive.

The Magpies now await the fourth qualifying round draw, scheduled for Monday, 5 October, on talkSPORT, when National League clubs enter the competition.

Crowborough’s attention turns to Tuesday’s home Sussex Senior Cup tie against local rivals Lewes, with kick-off at 7.45 pm and another cup fixture to focus on.

Crowborough Athletic: Grant, J. Mayhew, Mvongo, Puffette, H. Mayhew, Hutcheon, Francis, Turner, Samuel-Smikle, Pring, Duncan. Substitutes: Pearsan, Ryan, Nwanosiki, Lambdem, Mbogba, Vochyam, Holmwood.

Wimborne Town: Kai Crampton, Cameron Sullivan, Billy Walker, Sam Roberts, Lewis Williams, Josh McQuoid, Will Fletcher, Cameron Munn, Charlie Wooding, Harvey Wright, Owen Roundell. Substitutes: Tyler Edmondson, Finley Toghill, Seung-Woo Yang, Angel Diaz, Cameron Plain, Joe Smith538

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