Thamesead Town go into this weekend’s Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round home tie against Chertsey Town of the Combined Counties League after creating their own small piece of history in the previous round of the Greatest Cup Competition in the World.

Never before had an FA Cup tie been played in the Channel Islands and with the trophy itself in attendance, the Mead provided proud opponents for Guernsey FC and after two titanic battles on the field, off the field friendships and bonds will live forever.  Despite the Mead surrendering a two goal lead in the original tie, no one could have been begrudged Guernsey a replay for the magnificent way the day was organised – even the weather was spectacular – and the way that the whole day was handled by both clubs and the crowd of in excess of 1,000 was comfortably the biggest crowd of the Round.

After striker Paul Vines became the first player to score a FA Cup goal off of the British mainland, the build up to Jack Mahoney’s first goal for the Mead to give Tommy Warrilow’s side a 2-0 lead at the midway point of the first half has caused an internet sensation.  Because of the way that skipper Scott Kinch’s ball back into the Guernsey box from a corner got caught on the wind – hitting the cross bar rather than disappearing into the rugby ground behind the Footes Lane Stadium – has caused the goal to be dubbed “the most bizarre goal ever scored in the FA Cup”.

The reaction world-wide has been nothing short of amazing!  The story has been picked up by websites all over Europe – it’s even been told on sites in North America and Australia – its been featured on the Football Association’s own on-line television station (FATV); its been shown on the SKY SPORTS show “Soccer AM” and Jack himself was a guest on talkSPORT’s afternoon show on the day of the replay.  And on YouTube the footage has been seen nearly 350,000 times!

The replay itself at Thamesmead’s Bayliss Avenue ground was another terrific advert for Ryman League football – the Mead play in Division One North of the League whilst the Green Lions contest Division One South – and after going behind for the first time in the tie, Mead skipper Kinch drew his side level on the stroke of half time.  Chances came and went at both ends, but with no further goals either in normal time or in extra time, the tie was decided on penalties.

Whilst the Mead scored their first three, Guernsey only scored one of theirs and despite the home side missing their fourth Adrian Stone kept his nerve to drill Thamesmead into the First Qualifying Round and a home tie with the “Curfews” of Chertsey.

Chairman Paul Bowden- Brown said, “I have nothing but admiration for the organisation, professionalism and friendship that was given by everyone at Guernsey FC home and away.  From the moment we landed and were met by the volunteer drivers that picked our party up from the airport to the moment we left, everything was brilliantly organised and I will forever remember the trip.”

Boss Warrliow added, “People certainly got value for money both home and away with both teams deserving all the plaudits they received.  I must thank everyone connected with Guernsey FC for a great trip – we were really well looked after throughout and their supporters were something special.  I’ve never seen a side two-nil down at home applauded off of the pitch by a whole stand of fans at half-time.  That just doesn’t happen – I was gobsmacked – what reaction would they have got if they’d actually won the tie?”

Everyone connected with the Mead were honoured to take part in this historic fixture and we flew the flag with pride and dignity but the winner without doubt was the world of football both on and off the pitch – with two games that will go down in the annuls of FA Cup history forever and a friendship that could well live even longer!