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So, having ascertained that the regular through trains would not present a problem, even in the event of penalties, the next step was to check the home club's website. This declared that admission to all matches was strictly by ticket only, to be booked online. Only after this had been done, did it reveal that there would be a pay turnstile (card only) in operation. The booking process required the selection of a seat, so JCFC picked one at random. This time access to the ground was easy, as the direct route through the park was still open for another half hour, when JCFC arrived at

Tuesday 21st September 2021
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay
St Albans City   2   v   0   Concord Rangers
Oliver Mackey; Neil Bailey, Thomas Whay.

The first task, of course, was to obtain sustenance. St Albans is associated in JCFC's mind with a degree of refinement, so the absence of pie and peas was not a surprise, but burgers rather lowered the tone, though the lamb and mint version was a cut above the average. Next job was to find the seat: Block F, seat B1 turned out to be impossible - it should not be sold to anyone over 4 foot 6 tall. Fortunately, having endured the torture of this lack of legroom, JCFC was eventually able to move when it became clear that most seats were unsold - and from that point enjoyed the match.

The Concord goal survived an early scare, but it was a home defender who received a yellow card for a foul on just 4 minutes. Saints had plenty of pace up front and were regularly able to reach the dead-ball line and pull the ball back, but desoerate blocks by Concord defenders kept them at bay - until, that is, the 12th minute, when St Albans took the lead, heading home a corner. Concord, too, were managing to create chances - often the result of some slack marking, and in these cases, it was left to the goalkeeper to save the day. Saints were aggrieved that there was no caution for the Concord number 7, when he made contact with the winger who tried to hurdle his challenge. The "injured" player, despite his cries of pain, did not require treatment and once it became clear that no card was forthcoming, performed a most impressive Lazarus act - well, not quite as impressive as the original. Play continued to fluctuate entertainingly with danger at each end. After 37 minutes a home attacker looked and sounded to be clipped in the penalty area: to JCFC it appeared to be a penalty, but without the benefit of replays, we must bow to the decision of the admirably positioned Mr Mackey, who gave a firm "No penalty" signal, play eventually leading to a corner. At this point, several Saints players gave Mr Mackey the benefit(?) of their opinion. The corner was headed clear - high rather than travelling any great distance - and two players made contact with each other as it came down a few yards outside the box. It looked to be a normal coming together, but Saints were awarded a free-kick and this time Concord players made strong representations. A vague thought that it was a compensatory award was probably inaccurate.

The entertainment continued in the second half, but soon yellow cards began to feature too - deservedly so, let it be said. Fouls by Concord 2,and then Saints 7 set the ball rolling, with another Concord defender joining them midway through the half. At this point there was a decent save at each end. and a good Saints chance was blocked for a corner. Two further visiting players received yellows just after 80 minutes - the second being for dissent. Saints sealed their win on 89 minutes: a long ball was chased, a clearance blocked, the ball rebounding towards the now empty goal. It missed, but the attacker had chased, stopped it from going out for a goal kick and netted from an acute angle. The Concord number 10 wrestled an attacker in lieu of a tackle and received a yellow card in stoppage time. In the end, the better team on the night came out on top.

Mr Mackey was excellent in his rapid coverage of the ground and his adjustment of position. He had created a very favourable impression a few years ago when seen at Basford, and though one or two decisions might not have survived more forensic scrutiny, he communicated well and kept a tight grip on proceedings. A decent performance, despite minor (probably unjustified) reservations. To their credit, all three officials wore their (different) County badges, which is always a pleasing feature of FA Competitions.

Counterintuitively, the exit at the end of the ground furthest from the station, proved the best way back and Sutton was reached at 23.46.