Colchester United ended AFC Sudbury’s Emirates FA Cup dream in the first round proper curtain-raiser with a 4-0 victory despite a valiant display from the eighth tier team.
Sudbury kept their League Two visitors at bay for the opening half hour but two goals in four minutes from Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu and Freddie Sears put them 2-0 behind.
The hosts continued to cause problems after the restart as they looked for a way back but Sylvester Jasper’s superb second-half strike put the result beyond any doubt.
Colchester hadn’t progressed from any of their last six FA Cup ties when playing in the bottom division of the Football League, last going through to the second round in 1997-98.
But now Hayden Mullins’ side can look forward to the draw for the second round on Monday, with Shawn McCoulsky putting the icing on the cake with the fourth goal in injury time.
Isthmian League Division One North side AFC Sudbury had come through six qualifying rounds to reach the first round proper and showed no signs of being daunted by the challenge.
The hosts had only previously reached the Emirates FA Cup first round once before in their history, losing 6-1 at then Football League club Darlington in the 2000-2001 season.
But while four leagues separated Sudbury from Colchester United, the visitors’ recent record in the competition provided hope of a giant killing for Mark Morsley’s team.
The U’s had been knocked out by lower league opposition on 14 occasions, including a 1-0 defeat to Oxford City in 2017/18 and last season on penalties to Marine.
And Sudbury, who sit fourth in their league this season, almost grabbed the opener inside five minutes when Shamal George spilled his first attempted catch in the Colchester goal.
Thank you @AFCSudbury. You've been great 👏#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/AD9BnyCrUT
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) November 5, 2021
The visitors gradually took control on the 4G surface at the MEL Group Stadium though, controlling possession and keeping the pressure on their non-league opponents.
But for all their possession, it was Sudbury’s Marley Andrews who had the first real chance on 10 minutes when his right-footed shot forced George into a full stretch save to his left.
Colchester responded with a Sears shot across the face of goal that tested Joshua Blunkell before the Sudbury keeper also denied Sarpong-Wiredu on 15 minutes.
Jasper went close again for the visitors eight minutes later, firing in a low ball that was kept out at the near post, while Sears was unable to follow up from the rebound.
Sudbury continued to defend bravely as the half hour approached, with Sears again unable to get a shot away after combing with Armando Dobra, before Jasper was forced wide again.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute after patient build-up play, with Sarpong-Wiredu pouncing on a loose clearance to tuck the ball home on the volley at the back post.
A full capacity crowd tonight with 2000 fans. It’s been great to see teams from across our youth, academy and women’s sections here to celebrate this opportunity our first have provided #SudburyDNA 💛💙💛💙
— AFC Sudbury (@AFCSudbury) November 5, 2021
Colchester doubled their lead four just minutes later, with Sarpong-Wiredu turning provider to tee-up the ball for Sears to strike a half-volley that beat the outstretched right hand of Blunkell.
Andrews tried his luck from outside the box as Sudbury searched for an immediate reply but the hosts were unable to find a way through as they went into the break 2-0 behind.
The hosts began the second half with intent, closing down the visitors quickly as Shane Temple’s over-eagerness in tackling Tom Eastman resulting in an early yellow card.
For all their endeavour however, it was Colchester who had the better of the chances as Dobra continued to cause the home side problems - going close on two occasions around the hour.
The visitors wrapped up the victory on 71 minutes, Dobra rolling a short corner to Jasper who had time and space to curl a beautiful right-footed strike into the far corner.
And there was still time for McCoulsky to add a fourth goal in the third minute of injury time, sweeping in a volley from Luke Hannant's cross to cap off a professional performance.
