IT’S not often a battle between two seventh-tier teams can call itself the biggest match in the country, but that was the case in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,400 at the New Lodge on Thursday night.
Isthmian League Leatherhead shocked their promotion-chasing opponents Billericay Town to reach the second round of the FA Cup, in which they will travel to League Two Wycombe Wanderers.
By the admission of their flamboyant owner and manager Glenn Tamplin, Billericay have created “a lot of noise” with their big-name signings and — unbeaten in 24 games since the opening day of the season — they were expected to defeat opponents they had already beaten in the league.
Slot’s Reds face potential attacking blow with Salah away and Isak injured
As football grapples with overloaded calendars and commercial pressure, the Mariners’ triumph reminds us why the game’s soul lives far from the spotlight, writes JAMES NALTON



