The Acorn Group, part of Leaders Romans Group (LRG), sponsored Cray Wanderers’ historic FA Cup first-round tie against League One Stockport County on Sunday, as the non-league side came within minutes of pulling off a major upset.
Cray, London’s oldest football club, took a 2-0 lead against their Football League opponents before eventually losing 3-2 after extra time at a sold-out Flamingo Park.
The match marked the first time in Cray’s 166-year history that the club had reached the FA Cup first round proper.
Acorn, which operates estate agency branches across London and the South East, sponsored the fixture alongside ABC Book Club, a children’s literacy charity supported by both the agency group and the football club.
Estate agency sponsor watches Cray Wanderers threaten FA Cup upset
Cray stunned Stockport with two first-half goals from Sammie McLeod and Alex Hernandez.
The League One visitors were reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond was sent off in the 31st minute.
With just nine minutes of normal time remaining, Cray were still leading 2-0.
However, Kyle Wootton pulled a goal back in the 81st minute before Mikael Mandron equalised in stoppage time.
Lewis Fiorini then converted an extra-time penalty to complete Stockport’s comeback and end Cray’s hopes of reaching the second round.
The match was broadcast live by the BBC.
Acorn Group highlights longstanding community partnership
Neil Louth, group executive director at LRG and CEO of The Acorn Group, praised the club’s performance.
“What a wonderful day for Cray Wanderers and the local community. To reach the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in 166 years, take a 2-0 lead and push Stockport County so close is a tremendous achievement. The players, management, volunteers and supporters should all be enormously proud.
“Days like this show why the FA Cup means so much – giving the underdog a chance and bringing a whole community together to enjoy a special occasion.”
Founded in 1860, Cray Wanderers traces its origins to railway workers and local villagers playing football in St Mary Cray.
The club has supported ABC Book Club since 2018, organising book donation drives and providing a permanent collection point.
The charity says it has established more than 40 libraries and donated or redistributed over 350,000 books to schools and other organisations.
Louth added: “The Acorn Group is proud to have sponsored today alongside ABC Book Club. Acorn and Cray Wanderers’ longstanding support for ABC makes the occasion even more meaningful, helping more children discover a love of reading.”
